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Coast Counties 



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Coqtainiqg a History of tl^is Irqportant Sectioq of tl^e Pacific Coast from the Earliest Period of 

■ its Discovery to the Preseqt TitT|e, together witFj Glirripses of its Auspicious Future; 

Illustrations ar[d Full-Page Portraits of some of its Enqirieqt Meq, 

and Biograpl^ical Mention of rrjar^y of its Pioqeers, 

arid Prominent Citizens of To-day. 

HENRY D, BARROWS, _ , LUTHER A. 'MGERSOLL, 

Editor of the Historical Department. ' ' Editor of the Biographical Department. 



"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be 
remembered with pride by remote descendants." — Macaulay. 



CHICRGO: 

THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY. 

1893. 



f^n^A 




PREFATORY. 



THE GENERAL HISTORY. 

STN presenting the result of their labors to the readers of this volume, the editors desire 
11 to say that they are fully aware of the truth that the merit of a picture of any past 
epoch depends not a little on the manner in which it is presented. The historian, that is, 
the picturer of the present or the past, like the painter, should be, though he often, alas! falls 
short of being, an artist. He should also be an idealist and a philosopher. It is not enough 
for him to give mere dull descriptions of humdrum events, which in themselves alone 
are often, however faithfully reproduced, but the dry bones of a cadaver. He must see 
something of the significance of the events he describes, the wondrous and often vital rela- 
tions that exist between them, if he would bring an epoch vividly before the living present. 

He who spiritualizes and idealizes may indeed write the truest history. When Geoi'ge 
Eliot gave, in after years, idealized pictures of the scenes and localities of her youth, her 
neighbors, though seeing with different eyes, had no difticulty in recognizing the fidelity of 
her descriptions. So, coming nearer home, Mrs. Helen Jackson's idealized pictures in 
Ramona of California scenes and characters, — of the hot, dusty, sheep-shearing times so 
familiar to old Californians, — are not only faithful pictures, but they are also made all the 
more attractive by her idealized artistic mode of presentation. 

In telling the story of the central coast section of California, or, perhaps it would be 
better to say, in summarizing that story within the briefest limits, we have endeavored 
to give the primary facts with fidelity. But whether we have rightly grasped the signifi- 
cance of the events we have described, — the wondrous and often vital relations which exist 
between them, — is a matter, of course, which is left for the reader and the critic to decide. 

We must confess that the study of California's early history, and especially of the early 
history of Monterey and vicinity, — which, in manners, customs and language, were but a 
section of Spain translated to this then far distant region bordering ou the South Seas, — has 
greatly interested us. We can only hope that we may be able to awaken in our readers, in 
some slight degree, a like interest in the same study. 

H. D. Uakkows. 



PREFATORT. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT. 

The publishers believe tliey have materially added to the value of this work by supple- 
menting the general historical chapters with a somewhat extensive list of biographical 
sketches and personal mention, so called, of citizens of more or less local prominence. With 
the incorporation of these sketches, brief as some of them are, a two-fold purpose is served. 
First, it secures to the work a class of significant historical facts that cannot so appropri- 
ately find a place in any other portion of the history; secondly, to the general interest of 
the volume it adds a personal worth to a class of people who would like to see such a work 
in print, and leave it to their posterity. 

In gathering the facts for these articles, serious difliculties have been encountered. 
Some people have shown a reluctance to furnish us the desired data; others have over- 
stocked us with material; while still others have declined to furnish us with any informa- 
tion at all. The first two embarrassments were, with patience, in a measure, overcome; but 
the last mentioned was insurmountable; and thus it is that the biographies of some most 
worthy subjects are brief, and others are not here at all. All possible caution has been 
taken to record these statements in harmony with the facts, aiming in each case to give a 
faithful pen picture of each subject, as the artist would bring out the beauties of a land- 
scape picture in colors liarmonious and true to Nature. The ills of life and imperfections 
in character are neither pleasant nor profitable to contemplate. Therefore, we have not 
aimed to perpetuate them in history. 

To insure accuracy, these biographical sketches have been type-written and then sub- 
mitted by mail or otherwise to the parties from whom the information was obtained. 
Some have been kind enough to return them to us as requested in corrected form, and in a 
few cases, where they were not so returned, we are not quite certain of their accuracy, and 
do not feel responsible for possible errors. 

The writing and final incorporation of these articles in this work have not been made in 
all cases contingent upon a subscription for a history. No pioneer has intentionally been 
omitted because he could not see his way clear to order one of our books, and the 
sketches of many appear who could not afford to pay for the work. It may also be stated 
that some have ordered the work who, for reasons purely their own, desired their life's record 
not to be included in the list of biographies. 

In after years these biographies, called sketches, will have a value, because they are 
anthoritive records of primary facts in the lives of persons who took a more or less active 
part in making the history related in this volume; and as years vanish their significance 
will be more apparent and their value increase. 

L. A. Ingersoll. 




MONTEREY COUNTY. 
Chapter. Page. 
I. — Physical Features— Location, Topography, Min- 
eralogy, etc 

Coal 13 

II. — Indigenous Plants and Animals 14 

III. — Historic and Pre-Historlc California 16 

Early Discoveries 17 

Vizcaino's Letters 18 

IV. — Commencement of the Mission Era 23 

The New World Colonized on a Politico-Re- 
ligious Basis 25 

Partial Failure of the Mission System .... 20 

Pueblos 27 

Spanish Governors 27 

Mexican Governors 38 

V. — Founding of the First Missions 28 

VI. — From 1^00 to close of Mission Era 34 

VII.— Secularization 37 

California Becoming Known to the World . 39 

The Episode of 1843 40 

VIII.— Premonition of Impending Change 41 

Later Views of Castaiiares 41 

IX. — The Change from Spanish to Anglo-American . 4.5 

X. — Raising of American flag at Monterey 50 

XL— Discovery of Gold 58 

Effects of the Great Gold Discoveries 59 

Radical Economic Changes 59 

XII. — Constitutional Convention 61 

XIIL— The State Organized 70 

Suppression of Disorder 71 

XIV. — Monterey under American Rule 73 

XV. — Pioneer Reminiscences — The Ord Brothers 

in California 74 

A Curious Incident 75 

Fort Halleck 77 

Reminiscences of Mrs. Little 78 

Reminiscences of Mrs. Abrego 79 

XVI. — Churches, Societies, etc 80 

The Junipero Serra Monument 81 

XVII.— Municipal 83 

Monterey City Schools 83 



XVIIL— "Whaling at Monterey 84 

XIX.— Climate of Monterey— The Dry, Cool Air . . 85 
Temperatures 85 

XX.— The County 88 

Monterey County Public Schools 88 

Salinas Valley 90 

Lighthouses 91 

XXL— Salinas City 93 

Newspapers 97 

Other Business Establishments 97 

Salinas City Schools 98 

XXIL— Pacific Grove 98 

Pacific Grove Schools 101 

Donations 101 

California Conference 102 

Mayflower Congregational Church 103 

Monterey cypress 104 

XXIIL— Other Towns— Castroville 104 

Gonzales 105 

King City 106 

XXIV.— Pacific Improvement Company 106 

Hotel del Monte 107 

Town of Pacific Grove Ill 

Carmel Waterworks 113 

XXV. — Concerning one of the Earliest American 

Settlers in California 113 

SAN BENITO COUNTY. 

I.— Physical Characteristics— Location and Topog- 
raphy 118 

Geology 118 

II.— Mineralogy 131 

Quicksilver— New Idria 123 

Antimony 124 

Coal 124 

Petroleum 185 

Lime 126 

III.— Early History 127 

IV. — Decadence of the Missions 133 

Mexican Land Grants 133 

V — Change of Government 133 

VI.— American Settlement of San Benito Valley ...134 



CONTENTS. 



County division 135 

VII.— San Benito County in 1893 136 

County Schools 137 

VIII.— Resources of San Benito County 139 

Hollister hay 139 

IX.— Hollister 140 

Schools 141 

Churches 142 

Societies 143 

Newspapers 144 

Fire Department 145 

Grangers' Union 146 

Water Works 146 

Light and Power Company 147 

Banks 147 

X. — San Juan and other Settlements 148 

Cienega Lime Kilns 150 

Priest Valley Hall Association 151 

XL— Eucalyptus 161 

XII. — Twelve years' railroad traffic 153 

XIII. — Vasquez, the bandit 153 

XIV.— Panoche Grande 157 

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. 

I. — Natural Features, Location, Topography and 

Mineralogy 164 

Mineral resources 165 

II.— History 166 

III.— Founding of Pueblos 169 

IV. — Annals of the Pueblo and Mission from 1800 

to 1823 171 

v.— Independence of Mexico— 1822 to 1846 176 

VI. — Santa Cruz under American Rule 179 

VII. — Resources of Santa Cruz County 180 

Vineyards 182 

VIII. — County Officers and Institutions 182 

County Valuations 182 

Schools 183 

Societies 183 

Churches 183 

Railways 183 

IX.— City of Santa Cruz 184 

Santa Cruz Weather 185 

X.— Other Towns— Watsonville, etc 186 

Along the Shore Line 187 

SAN MATEO COUNTY. 

I. — Physical Features — Topography, etc 190 

Mineralogy 190 



II.— Early History 192 

Spanish Grants 192 

San Mateo under American Rule 193 

A Pioneer's Reminiscences 193 

Rafting Timber 194 

Adventures of other Pioneers 196 

III.— The Redwood Forests 197 

Arcadian life 198 

Redwood and its Characteristics 199 

IV.— San Mateo of To-day— County Officers 200 

Assessments 201 

Public Schools 201 

Belmont, Oak Grove and St. Matthew's 

Schools 202-204 

A Telescope 204 

v.— Redwood City 205 

Schools 205 

Newspapers 206 

Tanneries 206 

Churches 206 

Fraternal Societies 207 

Bank of San Mateo County 207 

Fire Department 208 

VI. — Miscellaneous — San Mateo (Town) 208 

A Picturesque County 209 

Halfmoon Bay 209 

La Honda 210 

Lighthouses 211 

VII. — Climatic Peculiarities of the Coast 211 

Causes of the Wet and Dry Seasons 212 

Topography as Affecting Climate 213 

VIII. — Suburban Homes — Possibilities 214 

Land and Live-stock 215 

IX. — Stanford University 217 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Assembly Hall and Church at Pacific Grove 102 

Bolado, Joaquin 345 

Castro, J. B 433 

Cuartel and Customhouse (old) at Monterey 50 

Flint, Thomas 313 

Flint, Mrs. Mary A 318 

Forest Stream in Santa Cruz County 164 

Jacks, David 241 

Jacks, Mrs. Mary C 246 

Malarin, Juan 393 

San Benito County Courthouse, at Hollister 136 

San Carlos Mission 28 

San Juan Mission, San Benito County 132 



CONTENTS. 



BIOGI^APHIGAL SI^ETGHES. 



A 

Abbe, Andrew 353 

Alexander, J. K 364 

Allen, A. E ^78 

Allen, George, 377 

Anderson, W. A 340 

Anthony, E 298 

Anzer, P. E. G 437 

Archer, S. M 418 

Armstrong, J. G 380 

Asher, W.C 335 

Austin, R. C 287 

Ayers, C 343 



B 



Bacon, Mrs. E. L 219 

Baldwin, T. L 350 

Ball, H. L 405 

Bardin, Charles 399 

Bardin, Henry 240 

Bardin, James 403 

Bardin, Jesse 403 

Bardin, William 303 

Barry, Michael 409 

Bassett, Abner 347 

Bassett, C 348 

Berg, Mrs. P. 279 

Bernhart, J. P 420 

Black, Samuel 251 

Black, S. M 233 

Black, Victor D 339 

Blackie, P 278 

Blakie, George 291 

Blessing, J. A 283 

Blohm, Enno 401 

Blomquist, A 276 

Blosser, W. H 281 

Bodfish, G. P 293 

Bolado, J 345 

Boronda, O 385 

Boronda, M. S 388 

Bordges, J. S 415 

Bowie, Joseph 283 

Boyd, A. P 348 

Bradford, H. L 333 

Bralee, Thomas 324 

Braraers, T 340 

Brannagau, A 363 

Breen, Mrs, E. J 425 

Breen, John 425 

Breen, Patrick 42G 

Briggs, N. C 376 

Briggs, H. W 294 

Brinson, Daniel 252 

Bromf.eld, D 446 

Brown, George 229 

Brown, Gustav 321 



Brown, Henderson 352 

Brown.J. C 421 

Bruno, Manuel 360 

Bryant, C. P 353 

Buck, George H 344 

Bundeson, M 401 

Burns, Robert 227 

Burt, J. J 353 

Butterfield, G. M 413 

Butterfield, James 444 

Butterfield, Thomas 442 

C 

Cambridge, S 416 

Canfield, R. W 397 

Carpenter. W. L 328 

Casey, Patrick 389 

Castro, J. B 433 

Castro, Stephen 237 

Chalmers. G 420 

Chambers, Henry 370 

Chambre, R. M 433 

Churchill, Z 349 

Clark, R. H 415 

Clausen, J 363 

Collins, Patrick 409 

Conkling.T. J 408 

Conley, John 366 

Conrad, Peter 417 

Cooper, J. B. R 349 

Copley, A. J 230 

Corey, Hiram 371 

Conlan, John 387 

Creamer, J. H 360 

Crepin,E. A 239 

Crow, Marion 289 

Crow, W. J 267 

Crowe, W. H 267 

Cullen, Patrick ... 372 



D 



Davis, H. L 310 

Day, F. R 286 

Decarli, A 385 

De La Torre, E 330 

De La Torre, J 320 

Dooling, Daniel 408 

Dorn, N. A 357 

Doud, Francis 4J3 

Doud, Thomas 423 

Duckworth, S. J 434 

Duncan, W.T 299 

E 

Eaton, Alex 274 

ElcheTerry, Juan 412 



Edwards, T. C SU 

Ellis, W. R 423 

Escobar, J. M 381 

Espenosa, Josel'a ,. 370 



F 



Few, C. R 234 

Field, T.J 309 

Finch, J. M 337 

Finch, M. F 373 

Flint, Thomas 313 

Forster, Allen 322 

Francis, Miss L. E 264 



G 



Gable, 8. A 422 

Gallanar, Mrs. A 261 

Garber, J. H 294 

Garman, William H 231 

Garner, A. T 415 

Gigling, A 402 

Gilbert, S. B 343 

Gomez, F. N 255 

Gomez, Joseph 224 

Goncalves, M. M 404 

Gordon, George W 359 

Gordon, S. B 384 

Gordon, S. B., Jr 403 

Gould, Horace 233 

Graves, George 303 

Greene, H. A 370 

Gregg, J. W 263 

Gunzendorfer, F 330 

H 



Hall, N. D 296 

Hames, John 395 

Haney, O. J 286 

Hardin, A. M 393 

Hardwick, N. G 251 

Harney, John 351 

Harris, E. F 386 

Hart, Patrick 269 

Hartnell, U 355 

Hatton, William 341 

Haver, William 304 

Hawkins, J. W 284 

Hawkins, T. S 263 

Hames, B. F 395 

Hebert, Z 382 

Hickey. C 410 

Hilby, F. M 333 

Hill, J W 441 



CONTENTS. 



Hitchcock.B 401 

Hodges, J. 1 312 

Hohnan, R. L 200 

Horton, J. A 341 

Houghton, D. J 280 

Hubbard, T. B 232 

HuWer, J. N 3B1 

I 

Indart, Juan 412 

Ingram, E 380 

Irelan, L 413 

Iverson, J. B 307 

J 

Jacks, David 241 

Jacks,?. M 398 

Jarvis, G. J 372 

Jenkins, L. B 277 

Jensen, C 378 

Jolinson, C 402 

Jolinson, J. 288 

Jones, J. M 320 

Jordan, P 382 

Josselyn,E. S 237 

K 

Kapman, P 365 

Keleher, J. M 385 

Kent, H. E 396 

Kent, J. H 353 

Keir, J. S 363 

King, Piiilip 375 

King, William 375 

L 

Lacey, C. F 405 

Lacquer, A 296 

Lahiff, J. T 333 

Lambert, T. U 259 

Lathrop, L. B 320 

Lauglilin, S. N 224 

Lawrey, Mrs. M. E 358 

Leese, David 281 

Leese, J. R 368 

Leonard, A 222 

Libby, J. S 345 

Little, D. S 420 

Little, Milton T 227 

Little, W. C 400 

Lloyd, D. W 329 

Long, F. H 389 

Lovie, G.W 277 

Luce, Allen L , 3.">8 

Lynn, T. M 383 

M 

Macdonald, Philip 3!S4 

Malarin, Juan 393 

Malariii, M 230 

Manklns, G. W 267 

Maxtleld, Frank 391 



McCarthy, D. M 431 

McCollum, A. J 274 

McCray, Daniel 399 

McCrosky, B. B 305 

McCroskv, J. A 228 

McCuue, Alex 276 

McDougall, James 306 

McDougall, J. H 290 

McFadden, Charles 414 

Mcllroy, R. H 301 

Mclutyre, Charles 268 

McKiunon, D 328 

McMichaels, E 281 

Meek, A. L 322 

Melendy, H 222 

Menke, J. H 430 

Merritt, M. K 265 

Messec, L G 220 

Meyer, F. K 416 

Miller, J. C 268 

Montgomery, E. B 378 

Moore, E 223 

Moore, M. M 310 

Moore, G. A 275 

Morrisy, T 395 

Morrison, C 226 

Munras, C. M. de 335 

Mylar, Enoch 226 

Mylar, Israel 226 

Mylar, Isaac 356 

Mylar, J. L 429 

N 



Nash, F. 236 

Nash, G. S 238 

Nash, P.L 234 

Nash, Shaw 238 

Nash, V. B 425 

Nason, F. P 438 

Nichols, W.P 371 

Northrop, J 297 

Norton, A 291 

Norton, K. G 344 



O 



O'Hara, P 361 

Oliver, William H 334 

Oyer, Philip 253 



Palmer, F. L 366 

Palmer, Samuel 394 

PalmtHg, William 307 

Parker, W. M. R 253 

Patton, J. W 279 

Pearce, E. F .292 

Peck, N. R 285 

Pomber, Juan 307 

Porter, Robert 387 

Prewett, J. T 254 



R 



Raggio, Luis 429 

Renison, Thomas 263 

Reynolds, John 221 

Richardson, J. A 254 

Rico, Francisco 410 

Riordan, M 303 

Riordan, T. J 437 

Roadhouse, G. W 414 

Roberts, G.M 275 

Roberts, J. L. D 280 

Robinson, J. H 292 

Robinson, Wm 445 

Robson, William 398 

Roche, J.H 342 

Roderick, David 266 

Rodriguez, J 235 

Rohrback, W 266 

Romie, C. T 382 

Root, J. F 356 

Roth, Hiram 312 

Rowe, J. S 362 

Rubell, C. F ... 272 

Rudolph, C 369 



Santos, J. J. . . 843 

Sargent, B. V., Jr 379 

Sargent, J. P 387 

Schmidt, William 279 

Scholetield, J. A 249 

Schulte, Joseph 257 

Seaside, 380 

Selleck, D. M 370 

Sexton, John 283 

Shaw, R 232 

Shaw, William 304 

Shearer, S. M 319 

Shepherd, W. A 340 

Sherman, F. D 379 

Sherwood, Milton 363 

Shields, John 289 

Shore, R. E 221 

Skelton, Henrietta 297 

Slaven, T. H 256 

Small, R. H 273 

Smith, J. L , 332 

Smith, E. L. B 283 

Smith, S. H 225 

Snibley, Jacob 337 

Snibley, William 411 

Snively, J. B 258 

Soberanes, Abel 321 

Soberanes, B. A 323 

Soberanes, M. G 336 

Sorrentini, C 228 

Stedman,S. W 259 

Steinbtck, J. A 392 

Stice, Richmond 289 

Stirling, Duncan 262 

Stirling, Robert 394 

Stirling, William 239 

Stone, W. H 419 

Swank, J. S 235 



CONTENTS. 



Taix, A 279 

Taylor, Nelson <i30 

Templeton, M. B 23n 

Thexton, Isaac 337 

Tholcke, J. W 430 

Thompson, James 305 

Tibbetts, William 3!.m 

Tollett, H. C 44] 

Tomas,Johu 261 

Tomasini, M 351 

Toothaker, L. S 446 

Torre, E.de la 320 

Torre, Julio de la 320 

Towle, William J 440 

Trimmer, O. S 354 

Tully, E. C 431 

Turner, E. J 440 

Tuttle, C. K 389 

Tuttle, Daniel 279 

Tuttle, W.D 30] 

Twitchell, J. H 337 



Vierra, J. P... 
Villegas, Y. P. 



430 
254 



W 



Wallace, M 375 

Wallace, Walter 303 

Walsh, M. F 419 

Watson, C. H 366 

Watson, D.J 272 

AVatson, Hiram 381 

Watson, Jacob 366 

Watson James 444 

Watson, S. F 323 

Watson, Thomas 256 

Webster, David 354 

Westfall, A 283 

Whitcher, C. R 439 

Whitter, C. R 439 



Wilcox, Sylvester 360 

Willey, R. H 418 

Willianip, Thomas 390 

Wlllson, Dan 400 

Wilson, M 407 

Wood, James 409 

Wood, Job, Jr 300 

Wood, L. S 391 

Wright, E.P 284 

Wright, John 407 

Wright, Jonathan 404 



Yoacham, J. S 311 

Young, David 407 



Zabala, P 269 




MONTEREY SOUNTY, 



CHAPTER I. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES LOCATION, TOPOGRAPHY, 

MINERALOGY, ETC. 

fHIS county, which derives its name 
from the city and bay of Monterey, is 
situated in the central part of Califor- 
nia, fronting on the Pacific ocean, and is be- 
tween 35° 45' and 37° north latitude; and a 
meridian line 121° 30' west from Greenwich 
would bisect the county into two nearly equal 
portions. It is bounded on the north by the 
bay of Monterey and Santa Cruz county, on 
the northeast and east by San Benito, Fresno 
and Tulare counties, on the south by San 
Luis Obispo county and the Pacific ocean, and 
on the west by the Pacific ocean. 

The salient topographical features of this 
county are its sea-coast lines: the Monte 
Diablo and Gabilan range of mountains on 
its eastern border; the extensive valley of the 
Salinas river, which debouches into the bay of 
Monterey; and the Santa Lucia range on the 
west. These mountain ranges traverse the 
county nearly its whole length, running par- 
allel with the sea-shore. 

Monterey cpunty has an g,rea of about 
3,600 square miles, or something over 2,300,- 
000 acres. It is four times as large as the 



State of Rhode Island and twice as large as 
Delaware, and one- fourth larger than both 
those two States combined, which have a 
population of over half a million people. 
But its products are more varied than are the 
products of eitberof those States; everything 
which they can grow, and many more, some 
of which are vastly more profitable, can be 
grown on the wonderfully fertile soil, and 
in the equable, genial climate of Monterey 
county. 

Although the harbor of Monterey is not 
land-locked, like those of San Francisco and 
San Diego, yet, as it opens only toward the 
northwest, from which direction storms never 
come, it is safe for shipping at nearly all sea- 
sons of the year. 

The Salinas river, the only copsiderable 
stream in the county, has its source in the 
Santa Lucia mountains, in San Luis Obispo 
county, and, after entering Monterey county, 
near San Miguel Mission, runs in a north- 
westerly direction about 120 miles, through 
the broad, fertile valley of the same name, 
emptying into Monterey bay, near the north- 
ern boundary of the county. Its width near 
the mouth is about 450 feet. 

Like many California streams, the Salinas 
sinks in its sandy, gravelly bottom in sum- 



MQNTERET COUNTY. 



mer; in other words, it to a great extent runs 
under ground, except during the time of 
winter floods, when it carries a large volume 
of water from the extensive system of water- 
sheds which it drains. Its principal tribu- 
taries are the San Lorenzo, Estrella, San An- 
tonio, Arroyo Seco and Nacimiento. The 
Carmel river rises in the Santa Lucia moun- 
tains, and running through the Carmel valley, 
empties into the Carmel bay. The Pajaro 
river forms the boundary line between Monte- 
rey and Santa Cruz counties, and in tiie 
winter or rainy season often carries a large 
amount of water. Elkhorn creek, in the 
northern part of the county, runs westerly 
into the Salinas river. There are numerous 
other small streams in the southern portion 
of the county, among which are the San Jose, 
El Sur and El Snr Chiquito. 

The Gabilan mountains extend from the 
Pdjaro river at the northern boundary of the 
county, through the entire length of the 
county, a distance of some seventy-five miles, 
and are from twenty to thirty miles in width. 
From the Pajaro southerly, the first eighteen 
miles of the range are a system of low mount- 
ains, covered almost everywhere with grass 
and an abundance of timber. This portion 
of the mountains is now mostly occupied by 
farmers and horticulturists. The next thirty 
miles of the range, going southward, is com- 
posed of high, rough mountains, which ex- 
tend as far as the San Lorenzo; and from 
thence to the southerly boundary of the 
county these mountains are low, rolling hills, 
forming the foothills of the Coast Range. 



Ip this section are many beautiful little val- 
leys, nearly all of which possess a rich soil, 
and have a mild, delightful climate, pecu- 
liarly adapted to the growth of fruits of both 
the temperate and semi-tropical zones. The 
Gabilan mountains contain immense deposits 
of limestone; and quicksilver, gold and silver 
have also been found in small quantities, 
causing many people to have faith that they 
will eventually be found in large or paying 
quantities. 

The Santa Lucia mountains extend from 
Carmel bay, southeasterly along the coast to 
San Luis Obispo, thence running in an east- 
erly direction, and merging into the Monte 
Diablo range. They have an average breadth 
of about eighteen miles, and at several points 
reach an elevation of from 4,000 to 5,000 
feet above the level of the sea. There are 
also many small, fertile valleys in this range, 
which are already settled; and semi-tropical 
and other fruits do remarkably well wherever 
planted, many small orchards having been 
put out within the last few years. 

The climate of these mountain valleys re- 
sembles that of the valleys of the Gabilan 
range. Stock-raising is the principal indus- 
try, higher up in the mountains; and some 
fine dairies have been established along the 
sea-coast. Gold, silver, quicksilver, coal and 
other minerals are found in the Santa Lucia 
mountains, though seldom, as yet, in paying 
quantities. 

Monterey bay ranks third among the 
natural harbors of California; it is over 
twenty miles wide at the mouth, and ten 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



miles deep inland, and is semi-circnlar in 
form; Point Pinos (Point of Pines), on tlie 
soutli, and Point Ano Nuevo (New Year), on 
the north, formino; its headlands. Carmel 
bay is a smaller body of water, partly pro- 
tected, being abont four iniles in length and 
two in width, lying some four miles south of 
Monterey. 

The Salinas valley, lying between the 
Gabilan mountains on the northeast, and the 
Santa Lucia range on the southwest, is the 
largest, and constitutes the most important 
portion of Monterey county. It extends 
from Monterey bay on the north, nearly 100 
miles toward the southeast, with a width of 
from six to fifteen miles, and has an area of 
about 1,000 square miles, or 640,000 acres. 
It is one of the most fertile valleys, as it is 
one of the most productive in proportion to 
its extent, in the State or in the United 
States. 

According to the report of the State Min- 
eralogist (1888, p. 402), "The valley is formed 
of alluvium derived from the degredation of 
the granitic, serpentine, chloritic and sand- 
stone formations, of which the mountains on 
either side are composed. Above this allu- 
vium, and intermingled with its upper layers, 
are the modern detritus and fluviatile addi- 
tions. How little denudation has taken place 
of late years, is evidenced by the remains of 
ancient terraces, both upon the valley surface 
and the edges of the hills. The lower sixty 
miles of the valley is a series of low, flat ter- 
races, which extend in a northerly and south- 
erly direction." I 



"The bed of the Salinas river," continues 
the authority quoted, "is a white, micaceous 
sandstone, which forms quicksand, rendering 
fording dangerous. During the summer sea- 
son this river at Soledad is a broad, sluggish 
stream. Westward from the Salinas valley, 
and south from the city of Monterey, tlie 
country presents a series of hills and mount- 
ain ranges almost inaccessible, which have a 
width of fifteen to twenty miles. This mount- 
ain is called the Santa Lucia. This is not 
exactly correct, although the mountain range 
appears continuous. In the northern part 
the Carmelo makes a long valley; centrally 
the Arroyo Seco cuts through to the east, 
and in the southern part the San Antonio and 
Nacimiento separate, what there appears, as 
two distinct chains." 

In Professor "Whitney's Geological Report 
these are classified as "two chains: the Santa 
Lucia on the west, and on the east the Point 
Pinos or San Antonio range. The Santa 
Lucia rises direct from the ocean from Point 
Lopez and Point Gordo, south to the limit 
of the county, with ocean bluffs 300 or 400 
feet in height, and peaks 7,000 feet above the 
sea. These mountains have not been fully 
explored, but the Burros mines in the south- 
west show that they contain minerals of 
value." Gold has also been found in placers 
on the San Antonio and elsewheie in the 
county. Other minerals, including silver, 
coal, petroleum, etc., are known to exist in 
the county; also fine building stone, lime- 
stone, and sand suitable for the manufacture 
of glass. 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



Twenty-eight miles below Point Sur (South 
roint), or sixty miles southeast of Monterey, 
there are inexhaustible supplies of limestone 
which have been developed to a considerable 
extent by a company whose works include 
four patent perpetual kilns, with a capacity 
of over one hundred barrels of lime per day. 
There is a large forest near by of redwood, 
pine, laurel and oak, from which fuel and 
materia! for the manufacture of barrels are 
obtainable in abundance. A road three- 
fourths of a mile in length has been con- 
structed to the sea, where the lime from these 
quarries can be shipped. 

About fifty miles southeast of Salinas city, 
in a deep wooded cailon, in the Santa Lncia 
mountains, are the Tasajara Springs, which 
have good repute. The beneficial qualities of 
their waters, for kidney and other complaints, 
have long been known to the Indians and all 
old settlers; and many persons make yearly 
trips to these springs, despite the fact that 
they are almost inaccessible. There are in 
all twenty-nine mineral springs, varying in 
temperature from cold to boiling heat. There 
are other hot springs, as those of the Little 
Sur river, the temperature of which ranges 
from sixty to one hundred and twenty degrees, 
Fahrenheit. 

Artesian water has been struck in various 
parts of the Salinas valley, and in some cases 
gas, as well as water, was developed. A well 
was bored in 1890, near the courthouse in 
Salinas city, for the express purpose of ob- 
taining gas. A record of the strata pierced 
shows that the sulistances extracted were 



similar in character to those which form the 
Gabilan mountains. The gravel brought to 
the surface consisted of small water-worn 
pebbles, from one-half to two or three inches 
in diameter, many of the coarser stones re- 
quiring to be broken in the well. Slight 
flows of gas were developed at 85, 120, 497 
and 764 feet deep, but not in sufBcient or 
paying quantities. The fact that gas was 
found in the gravel beneath the clay, tends 
strongly to substantiate the hypothesis, that 
it must exist in large, perhaps inexhaustible, 
quantities, beneath soraeimpervious stratum of 
rock, which can be reached by the drill. It 
was the intention to sink this well much 
deeper, which if done would aid in deter- 
mining the character of the underlying strata 
of the valley, and the relation they bear to 
the surrounding mountains. Numerous 
other wells have been sunk in the Salinas 
valley, but none so deep as the one above 
noted. They have all shown thus far that 
the valley has the same character of formation. 

Some flowing water has Ijeen obtained at a 
depth of 120 feet; in other wells water was 
struck, but it did not flow. In some of these 
in which gas was struck, adjoining ones a few 
yards distant would show no gas, though 
greater depth was reached. 

In 1880 a well was bored in Castroville to 
a depth of 178 feet, which presented the re- 
markable phenomenon of yielding a large 
quantity of fresh water, which at high tide 
flowed over the top of the casing, but which 
at low tide ceased to flow altogether. This 
well was near the mouth of the Salinas river, 
and the surface of the ground was twenty 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



feet above the river. Another well, six miles 
south of Salinas city , was sunk to the depth 
of 154 feet, the last four feet being in bi- 
tuminous shale, in the boring of which there 
were encountered water and traces of oil 
and gas. 

COAL. 

Coal is found in numerous localities, as at 
Stone Canon, Peach Tree, El Chiquito Rancho, 
etc. The character of the first named may 
be inferred from the following, which is con- 
densed from the report of the State Miner- 
alogist; The canon in which the coal meas- 
ures are exposed runs east and west, and 
may be regarded as a dividing line between 
the sandstones, which lie to the west, and an 
extensive district of metamorphosed slate and 
Jasper, which lies to the south. They are 
first observed at the southern base of the 
mountain, which forms the northern wall of 
Stone Canon, and rises to a height of about 
three hundred feet above the coal formation. 
This mountain is composed of sandstone at 
the summit, and is somewhat fossiliferous. 
About fifty feet lower down, it is a coarse, 
crystalline sandstone, the silicious cementa- 
tion and quartz granules being distinctly 
marked. Lower down, the sandstone is less 
crystalline in appearance, and occasionally 
contains tiny pebbles, which is one of the 
characteristics of the sandstone overlying the 
the head- wall to the coal below. Lower down 
and immediately over the head- wall, the tiny 
pebbles become more numerous, and the sand- 
stone contains fossils. The sandstone form- 
ing the head-wall is of a light gray variety, | 



and streaked with oxide of iron. This head- 
wall sandstone appears to be thirty or forty 
feet in thickness. The coal itself is about 
twelve feet thick, and seems to be a good 
quality of lignite. It rests upon a tenacious 
clay, much stained with carbonaceous mat- 
ter and oxide of iron. To the south of 
the foot-wall is a stratum of fine-grained 
sandstone, cropping out in peaks upon the 
north side of the canon, and widely extend- 
ing upon the south side are metamorphic 
slates, passing into both white and red jasper. 
This mine was discovered about the year 
1870. The works consist of four openings 
in the above-named caiion, two of which are 
tunnels, and tWo are inclines. The tunnels, 
an upper and a lower, are the most easterly 
workings, and have been run in an easterly 
direction along the strike of the vein. The 
lower tunnel is about 1,300 feet long, and the 
upper about 300 feet. 

The vein, which is twelve feet wide, pitches 
toward the north, at an angle of about eighty 
degrees. The foot-wall is a clay, stained 
with iron and carbonaceous matter, and the 
hanging -wall is a light-colored sandstone, 
streaked with oxide of iron. During a year 
about 1,000 tons of coal were taken out. 

About a quarter of a mile west of the tun- 
nels are two inclines, one being 120 feet, and 
the other 160 feet deep ; these follow the vein 
down, which here pitches at an angle of about 
thirty-five degrees, a little to the east of mag- 
netic north. A short distance to the north- 
west of the tunnels the canon makes a bend, 
crossing the coal measures between the tun- 



14 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



nels and the incliEe. Water and also sulphur- 
ous gas have interfered somewhat with the 
working of the mines. The coal is hauled by 
teams from the mines to San Miguel, a dis- 
tance of about twenty miles. 

A large body of coal of good quality has 
been discovered a few miles east of Peach 
Tree, and sixteen miles from the line of the 
railroad. 

CHAPTER II. 

INDIGENOUS PLANTS AND ANIMALS. 

frvW^jUCH of the mountainous area of 
V/jlj- Monterey county is covered with 
--ri^^' timber of many varieties, of which 
the following is a partial list, as given by a 
local authority: The most important for 
commercial purposes is the redwood, which 
18 found below Monterey; the yellow pine; 
nut pine; Monterey pine, found growing 
wild only around the bay of Monterey, bnt 
is extensively cultiv-ated as an ornamental 
tree, being hardy, quick in growth, and 
dense and handsome in form and foliage; 
Coulter's pine, found in the Santa Lucia 
mountains; Santa Lucia iir; Western juniper 
or cedar; arbor-vitae; live-oak; chestnut-oak; 
white-oak; canon live-oak; evergreen oak; 
and the Monterey cypress, which is indige- 
nous only on Cypress Point. This species is 
widely known throughout California, great 
numbers of them having been planted for 
ornament in most of the towns of the State; 
it is a hardy, quick grower, has a dense, 
graceful foliage, bears clipping well, and 
makes a fine appearance in all stages of its 
growth. 



Besides the foregoing, there are the Gove 
cypress, the California laurel, the madroila, 
mauzanita, mescal, sycamore, cottonwood, 
horse-chestnut or buckeye, willows of vari- 
ous kinds, azalea, etc. 

Among indigenous plants, the following 
may be mentioned: Amole or soap-plant, the 
mistletoe, Spanish moss, yerba buena, yerba 
santa, yerba del mauso, etc.; and among 
small fruits of native growth, are wild grapes 
of several varieties, blackberries, gooseberries, 
raspberries, whortleberries or blueberries, 
salmonberries and strawijerries. Of the na- 
tive wild flowers which grow so profusely in 
springtime throughout nearly every portion 
of Monterey county, the varieties are too 
numerous to mention here in detail. 

The most common, as they are the most 
valuable, of the indigenous grasses (forage 
plants) of California, are the burr-clover, 
alfileria and wild oats. 

Of the wild animals found in the region 
now known as Monterey county, by the first 
European settlers, the following may be 
mentioned: The grizzly bear, the king of 
beasts of the American continent, which still 
may occasionally be found in the region 
around Santa Lucia Peak, and between the 
headwaters of the Arroyo Seco and tiie Naci- 
miento; the California lion, a species of cou- 
gar, which, though larger than the East- 
ern panther, is not as dangerous to man, 
from whose presence he invariably flees; 
but he frequently commits serious havoc 
with the young stock of the herdsman; the 
coyote and the wildcat, which are not easily 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



15 



exterminated, and which are also very de- 
structive to the ganado menor, or small 
animals of the ranchero. 

The rodents or gnawers, which were found, 
here (and which are still omnipresent) were 
represented by the ground-squirrel, the 
gopher, several species of the rabbit, and, in 
the redwood regions, the gray squirrel; deer 
and antelope were formerly also very abun- 
dant, and are still to be found, in the more 
remote mountainous sections of the county. 

The following interesting account of the 
native birds of Monterey county is con- 
densed from a learned and apparently ac- 
curate writer in a local journal, The Mon- 
terey Democrat: 

All the principal orders of birds are well 
represented here, as well as elsewhere in the 
State; but it is a remarkable fact that though 
birds are plentiful in numbers, yet in num- 
bers of species, the Eastern States being 
used for comparison, birds and flowers re- 
verse ratios. Whilst the total number of 
species of all departments of the vegetable 
kingdom is nearly fifty per cent, greater for 
the State of California than for all the States 
east of the Mississippi put together, out of 
nearly 1,000 species of birds in the United 
States only a little over 200 are found in 
California. The birds of prey are repre- 
sented in this county by several species of 
owl, the great or Virginia horned owl, the 
screech owls and the burrowing or day owls 
being the most common; by the turkey- 
buzzard, the California condor, which is the 
largest rapacious bird of North America; 
two species of eagle, one of them our national 



emblem, the bald eagle; by the osprey or 
sea-eagle, and by various species of the hawk 
(Gabilan) tribe, including hen-hawks, sparrow- 
hawks, etc. The climbers are confined to the 
family of woodpeckers, of which there are 
several classes. The Sirisores are represented 
by the humming-birds, which may be seen 
in summer and winter alike. A list of the 
various species of flycatchers or martins, 
swallows, sparrows, wrens, vireos, wood- 
warblers, etc., would be too long to quote 
here. The chaparral cock or "road-runner," 
or "paisano," as he is called in Spanish, is 
found on cactus or chaparral hills, his long 
tail, which serves as a sort of rudder, giving 
him a peculiar appearance as he runs with 
the fleetness of a race-horse. In the pine 
woods of the southern part of the county the 
chattering magpie may be heard. In winter 
the note of the robin, so familiar to the ear 
of the New Englander, is heard in our foot- 
hill cailons, whither he Las been driven by 
cold from the far north; and the Oregon 
thrush may sometimes sing among the shade- 
trees of our towns. Bullock's oriole and the 
Louisiana Tanager, gay both in plumage and 
song, lend their dainty presence to rural 
scenes; and other melodious warblers of 
varied plumage sing to the select few who 
will wander to the wilderness to listen to 
them. Valley quail and his more stately 
cousin, the mountain quail, both beautiful 
birds, abound in great numbers in their re- 
spective localities. Plover, snipe, doves, wild 
pigeons and many varieties of smaller birds 
also abound in great numbers in the several 
localities whicli suit their iiabits. 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



Eeptiles are rare, says the writer just 
quoted. Kattlesnakes are found in sandy 
hills or rocky places, but not in great num- 
bers. Several other kinds of harmless snakes, 
as well as lizards of several varieties, and 
horned- toads, are somewhat common in the 
interior, but not so near the coast, where the 
climate, which is so admirably suited to the 
comfort and health of man, is a little too 
bracing for snakes and reptiles, which need 
plenty of sun. For them the Colorado desert 
is a more natural habitat. 

Fishes are plentiful in the bay and interior 
waters of Monterey. Salmon come up the 
Salinas in spring; trout are found in the 
mountain streams; Spanish mackerel, herring, 
baracuta, bonita, rock cod, catfish, smelt, etc., 
are caught off the coast. 

Insect life is exuberant; but those insects 
wliich are injurious to vegetation have not as 
yet become very numerous. Moths and but- 
terflies (" mariposas "), of many kinds and of 
brilliant hues, are to be seen in great num- 
bers in certain seasons of the year. 

CHAPTER III. 

IIISTOKIC AND PKEHISTOKId CALIFOKNIA. 

fSpf HERE is a certain glamour attaching to 
^JW the histoi'y of Monterey and of Cali- 
^^ fornia, as it runs back to a different civ- 
ilization from our own, and to institutions 
which were established, not by Anglo-Saxons 
or Anglo-Americans speaking our own Eng- 
lish vernacular, but by Spaniards and the de- 
scendants of Spaniards speaking only the 
Spanish tongue, who made California as thor- 



oughly and truly Spanish as it would have 
been if it had actually been a part of Spain 
itself. While we know nothing of the his- 
tory of California excepting the little we may 
learn from its valleys and rock-ribbed mount- 
ains prior to its discovery by Cabrillo in 
1542, we know but little more of what hap- 
pened here during the more than 200 years 
subsequent to that discovery. At long inter- 
vals, a few daring navigators sailed along this 
almost unknown coast, but did not penetrate 
into the interior. The placid waters of this 
portion of the Pacific ocean were seldom dis- 
turbed by vessels of any kind, and populous 
tribes of degraded Indians passed their low, 
dull existence, on a level, lower and less no- 
ble than that of the wild animals by whom 
they were surrounded, and who alone, from 
year to year and from age to age, had disputed 
their sway. Sin razon (without reason), as 
these Indians were aptly characterized by the 
Spaniard, and almost without the capacity for 
reasoning, or for intellectual development of 
any kind without aspiration, living in per- 
petual want, except so far as Natui-e supplied 
them with roots and reptiles and such wild 
animals as they could capture by the simplest 
devices; engaging in occasional tribal fights, 
their annals, even had they been recorded, 
would have possessed but slight interest to 
the civilized man. The "Digger Indian" of 
California was far below the Aztec of Cen- 
tral Mexico in the scale of being; and that 
we know nothing, or next to nothing, of his 
former history, is no great loss as we assume 
that he has done nothing worthy of being re- 
membered. 



MONTEREY GOUNTT. 



17 



EABLT DISCOVERIES. 

The permanent occupation of Alta or Up- 
per California by Europeans dates from the 
founding of San Diego Mission by the Fran- 
ciscan Order of Friars, in the year 1769. 
This epochal event occurred 277 years after 
the immortal dreamer, Christopher Columbus, 
had discovered land in the new world, which 
he at first supposed was the East Indies, but 
which further discoveries demonstrated to 
have been on the opposite side of the globe 
from the India of the ancients, and which 
we now denominate as a part of the West 
Indies. 

Fifty years after Columbus' discovery, 
namely in 1542, that is to say just 350 years 
ago, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a native of 
Portugal, in command of two Spanish explor- 
ing vessels, was the first navigator to explore 
the coast of California, from San Diego north- 
ward. He discovered the bay of Monterey, 
November 17 of that year, and sailed as far 
north as Cape Mendocino. Cabrillo, who was 
a daring and skillful explorer, died January 
3, 1543, at a small harbor on the island of 
San Miguel, off the coast of California. 

In 1602, sixty years after Cabrillo's voy- 
age, Sebastian V^izcaino, sailing from Aca- 
pulco north, under orders of Philip III. of 
Spain in command of three ships, anchored, 
December 16, in Monterey bay, which he 
named in honor of the viceroy of Mexico, 
Gaspar de Zuiliga, Count of Monterey. The 
first view obtained of the coast of Monterey 
by Vizcaino and his men, was on the llth 
of December, when the fog which bii a,i- 



veloped the coast lifted, and revealed the 
high mountain range, which they named Sier- 
ra de Santa Lucia. Soon after, they sighted 
the river which they called El Rio de Carmelo, 
in honor of the Carmelite priests who accom- 
panied the fleet. Then they rounded the point 
which they called Punta de Pinos, a name it 
retains to this day, and entered the bay where 
they came to anchor; and on the 17th they 
held religious services in a tent under an oak 
near the beach but still close by springs of 
good water, in a ravine, which may still be 
identified. Many of Vizcaino's men were 
down with the scurvy, of which some had 
died; and it was decided that one of the ves- 
sels should be sent back to Acapulco with the 
sick; but nearly all the crew died before they 
reach'jd that port. On the 3d of January, 
1603, Vizcaino, with the two remaining ves- 
sels, sailed north on a further voyage of dis- 
covery. 

The following very interesting letter, writ- 
ten by Sebastian Vizcaino himself from 
Monterey during this visit, 290 years ago, is 
one of several documents recently discovered 
by Mr. Adolph Sutro of San Francisco, in the 
India archives of Seville, Spain, and trans- 
lated and published, in both Spanish and Eng- 
lish, last year (1891), in Los Angeles, by the 
Historical Society of Southern California, by 
whose permission it is here reproduced. This 
letter is addressed to one of the Spanish 
princes of the royal family. A later letter, 
included among the documents unearthed 
by Mr. Sutro, and first translated and pub- 
lished by the Southern California Historical 
Society, is also appended, as in it Vizcaino, 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



after his return to Mexico, gives to the king, 
to whom the letter is addressed, a more de- 
tailed, though slightly exaggerated, account of 
what he saw at Monterey and along the coast 
of California during his voyage of discovery 
to this terra incognita nearly three centuries 
ago: 

Vizcaino's letters. 

"Your Highness will have had notice al- 
ready of how the Conde Monterey, Viceroy of 
New Spain, in conformity with the orders 
which he has from His Majesty, charged me 
with the exploration of the harbors and bays 
of the coast of the South Sea, from the port 
of Acapulco to Cape Mendocino, giving me 
for that purpose two ships, a lancha, and a 
barcoluengo, together with seamen and sol- 
diers, arms and ammunition, and provisions for 
eleven months; that, in accordance with the 
orders given to me for that end, I sailed 
from Acapulco on the 5th of May of this 
year; that I have prosecuted said exploration, 
although with great difficulty and labor, be- 
cause the navigation was unknown, and head 
winds were constant, while the aid of Provi- 
dence and the good desire I have ever felt 
for serving His Majesty, availed me little. 
I have discovered many harbors, bays and 
islands, as far as the port of Monterey, a har- 
bor which is in thirty-seven degrees of lati- 
tude, surveying all, and sounding and noting 
the sailing directions, according to the art of 
navigation, without neglecting any substantial 
thing concerning the same, and noting what 
the land and the numerous peoples dwelling 
therein seemingly promise. I send a copy tj 



the said Conde, in order that he may trans- 
mit the information to His Majesty and to 
Your Highness. As to what this harbor of 
Monterey is, in addition to being so well 
situated in point of latitude, for that which 
His Majesty intends to do for the protection 
and security of ships coming from the Phil- 
ippines: In it may be repaired the damages 
which they may have sustained, for there is 
a great extent of pine forest, from which to 
obtain masts and yards, even though the ves- 
sel be of a thousand tons burthen, live-oaks, 
and white-oaks for ship-building, and this 
close to the seaside, in great number; and the 
harbor is very secure against all winds. The 
land is thickly peopled by Indians, and is very 
fertile in its climate and the quality of the 
soil, resembling Castile; and any seed sown 
there will give fruit; and there are extensive 
lands lit for pasturage, and many kinds of 
animals and birds — as is set forth in the re- 
port referred to. 

"I advise His Majesty concerning the great 
extent of this land, and its numerous popula- 
tion, and what promise it holds forth, and 
what the Indians have given me to under- 
stand concerning the people of the interior, 
and of how gentle and affable the people are, 
so that they will receive readily, as I think, 
the holy gospel, and will come into subjec- 
tion to the royal crown; and, since His Ma- 
jesty is lord and master of all, let him pro- 
vide as may seem best to him. As to what 
behooves me to do on my part, I will serve 
him till death. With regard to ray having 
delayed longer than the time which was 
tliought necessary i'or this exploration: Be. 



MONTERET COUNTY. 



cause of the many difficulties of which I 
have spoken, the greater part of the pro 
visions and ammunition which were furnished, 
has been expended ; while, owing to the great 
labors which my crews have gone through, a 
number of men have fallen ill, and some have 
died so that for making the exploration at 
this time, as well of the region of Cape 
Mendocino as of the entire littoral of the Cali- 
fornias, as is called for, by my orders, 1 have 
met with obstacles to the completion of all 
the work, without considerable succor in the 
way of provisions, people and ammunition, and 
speedy dispatch of these. Let the Admiral 
be advised by the said Conde of this, he ask- 
ing him for what is necessary, and letting 
him know to what place, and at what time he 
must dispatch these things to me (sending 
to him also the map, report and sailing direc- 
tions concerning all I have done in said ex- 
ploration to the present time), so that Your 
Highness may order that the same be sent to 
me. I trust in God that I may do a great 
service to His Majesty, and that I shall dis- 
cover great realms and riches. Of all that 
may be done I shall advise Your Highness as 
opportunities for doing this may present 
themselves, with truth and faithfully. May 
our Lord guard Your Highness, a ward so 
necessary to the Christian. 1 am the servant 
of Your Highness. 

" Harbor of Monterey, Twenty-eighth De- 
cember, 1602. 

" SEBASTIAN VIZCAINO. 

" {A rubriea.y 



LETTER NUMBER 2, BEING NO. 15 OF THE SUTEO 
COLLECTION. 

Letter to His Majesty from Sebastian Viz- 
caino, dated at Mexico, on the 23d of May, 
1603, announcing his return from the explor- 
ation and demarkation of the coasts of 
the Californias, as far as latitude 42° north: 

" In the past year of six hundred and two, 
(abbreviation of one thousand six hundred 
and two), by order of your Viceroy, the 
Conde de Monterey, I set out on the discov- 
ery of the coast of the South Sea, with two 
ships, a lancha, and a iarcoluengo, with the 
requisite sailors and soldiers, armed and pro- 
visioned with everything necessary for a year. 
I sailed from the port of Acapulco, as I advised 
Your Majesty at the time, on the 5th day of 
May, of said year; and in conformity with the 
order and instructions I had, I explored very 
diligently the whole coast, not leaving har- 
bor, bay, island or bight without sounding 
and delineating it in accordance with the 
rules of good cosmography, and the art of de- 
markation; for, as your Viceroy wrote to Your 
Majesty, I was accompanied by a cosmog- 
rapher in whom confidence can be reposed, 
and cunning in the matter of geographical 
computations, in order that he might put 
down and note, in the most complete manner 
on map and chart, the result of the examina- 
tion Your Majesty should order, which the 
Viceroy now forwards, together with the de- 
lineation and reports concerning the whole. 
Among the ports of greater consideration 
which I discovered, was one in 37° of lati- 
tude, which I called Monterey. As I wrote 



20 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



to Your Majesty, from that port on the 28th 
of December, of said year, it is all that can 
be desired for cominodioiisness, and as a 
station for ships making the voyage to the 
Philippines, sailing whence they make a 
landfall on this coast. This port is sheltered 
from all winds, while on the immediate coast 
there are pines, from wliich masts of any de- 
sired size can be obtained, as well as live-oaks 
and white-oaks, rosemary, the vine, the rose 
of Alexandria, a great variety of game, such 
as rabbits, hares, partridges, and other sorts 
and species found in Spain, and in greater 
abundance than in the Sierra Moreiia, and 
flying birds of kinds differing from those to 
be found there. This land has a genial cli- 
mate, its waters are good, and it is very fer- 
tile — judging from the varied and luxuriant 
growth of trees and plants; for I saw some 
of the fruits, particularly chestnuts and 
acorns, which are larger than those of Spain. 
And it is thickly settled with people whom I 
found to be of gentle disposition, peaceable and 
docile, and who can be brought readily 
within the fold of the holy gospel, and into 
subjection to the crown of Your Majesty. 
Their food consists of seeds which they have 
in abundance and variety, and of the flesh of 
game, such as deer (ciervos), which are larger 
than cows and bear, and of neat cattle and 
bisons, and many other animals. The Indi- 
ans are of good stature and fair complexion, 
the women being somewhat less in size than 
the men, and of pleasing countenance. The 
clothing of the people of the coast lands con- 
sists of the skins of the sea- wolves abounding 
there, which they tan and dress better than 



is done in Castile; they possess also, in great 
quantity, flax like that of Castile, hemp and 
cotton, from which they make fishing-lines, 
and nets for rabbits and hares. They have 
vessels of pine timber very well made, in 
which they go to sea, with fourteen paddle- 
men of a side, with great dexterity, even in 
very stormy weather. 1 was informed by them, 
and by many others I met with in great 
numbers along more than eight hundred 
leagues of a thickly settled coast, that inland 
there were great communities, which they in- 
vited me to visit with them. They mani- 
fested great friendship for us, and a desire 
for intercourse; were well afiected toward 
the image of our Lady, which 1 showed to 
them, and very attentive to the sacrifice of 
the mass. They worship diflPerent idols, for 
an account of which I refer to said report of 
your viceroy, and they are well acquainted 
with silver and gold, and said that these were 
found in the interior. 

And, as some port or place on this coast is 
to be occupied, none is so proper for the pur- 
pose as this harbor of Monterey. For the rea- 
sons given, this port can be made by ships on 
the return voyage from the Philippines; and if, 
after putting to sea, a storm be encountered, 
they need not, as formerly, run for Japan, 
where so many have been cast away and so 
much property lost; and, had this port been 
known previously, Your Majesty would not 
have been so badly served. The time of the 
occurrence of the seasons being known, from 
this place the interior can be reached and ex- 
plored, such exploration promising rich re- 
turns; and proceeding along the coast, the 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



remainder of it can be examined, for, although 
I went as far as the 42° of latitude, this be- 
ing the limit fixed in my instructions, the 
coast-line trends onward to near Japan and 
the coast of Great China, which are but a 
short run away, and the same is the case with 
regard to Tartary and the famous city of 
Quinsay; and, according to the reports I re- 
ceived, there are to be found very numerous 
peoples, akin to those I have referred to: so 
the door will be opened for the propagation 
of the faith and the bringing of so many souls 
to a knowledge of God, in order that the seed 
of the holy gospel may yield a harvest among 
all these heathen. 

" Eleven months were spent on the voyage, 
during which noteworthy hardships were 
suffered; and, notwithstanding the unhappy 
experience of my men, who were all sick, and 
of whom forty-two died before our return to 
the port of Acapulco, I again offer to serve 
Your Majesty in continuing this exploration, 
as I did on the voyage to California, and on 
many others, of which I have given account 
to your Royal Council, in carefully and ex- 
actly prepared documents, which I have pre- 
sented there; and I refer, furthermore, to 
others now forwarded, in which it is shown I 
have spent the greater part of my fortune 
and of my health. Yet the little of these 
remaining to me, as well as my person, is 
devoted to your royal service, with the con- 
stancy, love, and fidelity of a loyal vassal and 
servant of Your Majesty, who, I pray, will 
order the necessities of my men to be con- 
sidered and that they be rewarded with boons 
from those powerful royal hands, and that 



the same be ordered to be done for the naval 
and military otiicers who accompanied me, 
their persons being recommended to your 
viceroy of this New Spain. God guard the 
royal and Catholic person of Your Majesty. 
" Sebastian Vizcaino. 

"Mexico, 23d of May, 1603." 

Although Vizcaino was anxious to return 
with another expedition for the occupation 
of Monterey, which accounts for certain ex- 
aggerations in this and other letters, he did 
not succeed in persuading the king to au- 
thorize the same and thus, as it turned out, 
very little was done for the exploration or 
settlement of California during the next 
160 odd years. Vizcaino himself, returning 
from Japan some ten years later, sighted 
Cape Mendocino; but he never afterward re- 
turned to the coast of California. 

However, his discovery of Monterey bay, 
and his explorations along the coast, had been 
carefully recorded, and had thus become a 
distinct and valuable addition to the world's 
knowledge of these far distant and pre- 
viously almost unknown and undefined shores 
of the boundless South Sea. At a later 
period, Philip III determined to dispatch 
Vizcaino on a second expedition; but the 
death of the latter prevented this plan from 
being carried out. 

Besides Cabrillo and Vizcaino, three other 
navigators had sailed along the coast of Up- 
per California during the latter part of the 
sixteenth century, without adding very much 
to what was known by Europeans of this 
region, viz.: Drake in the year 1579, de 
Gali in 1584, and de Cermefion in 1595 — 



23 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



the latter two sailing from the far West, on 
their return, respectively from Macao and 
the Philippine Islands. 

It seems somewhat remarkable that for 
over 200 years, from the expedition of Ca- 
brillo in 1542, till the founding of the 
San Diego and Monterey missions in 1769- 
'70, no white people, so far as we know, set- 
tled in any portion of Alta California. Ban- 
croft (Vol. I, p. 107) mentions a vague 
report by the Indians of San Luis Obispo, 
made to Father Figuer, in 1776, that about 
seventeen years prior to the establishment of 
the mission at Carmelo, "Twelve white men, 
dressed like Spaniards, landed from a boat 
and were subsequently cast away on the coast 
and perished." 

But we have no record that the mission- 
aries encountered any Europeans here when 
they first came, in 1769, to take possession 
of the country which Cabrillo had discovered 
and claimed in the name of their sovereign, 
227 years before. During all that long 
period, the innumerable fertile valleys of 
Alta California, which are now occupied by 
an advanced civilization, were given up to 
spiritless hordes of Indians and wild beasts; 
the useful grains and fruits and domestic 
animals, were unknown, for most, or all of 
these things were first brought here by the 
pioneers of 1769, and subsequent years. It 
requires some eflbrt of the imagination to 
picture this fair land as wholly given over to 
hordes of wild Indians and wild animals, 
with no useful domestic animals, or fruits or 
grains, except only such as were purely in- 
digenous to the country. Yet such undoubt- 



edly was its condition at the time of the ad- 
vent of the Franciscan Friars, 123 years 
ago, and for unnumbered ages prior to that 
epoch. 

CHAPTER IV. 

COMMENCEMENT OF THE MISSION ERA. 

IN the year 1767 the Jesuits were, by royal 
decree, expelled from all the dominions 
of Spain, and Baja or Lower California, 
where that order had built up extensive es- 
tablishments, was turned over to the Fran- 
ciscans. Jose de Galvez, Visitador-general, 
and afterward Minister-general, a man of 
great energy and executive ability, arrived 
the following year in Lower California with 
orders from the king, Carlos III, of Spain, 
to send an expedition, by sea, to re-discover 
and settle the ports of San Diego and Mon- 
terey. Father Junipero Serra, whose name 
became so intimately connected with the sub- 
sequent early history of California, and es- 
pecially with that of the Mission of San Car- 
los, where his ashes now repose, and a friar 
of dauntless energy and zeal, entered enthusi- 
astically into Galvez' plans; and an expedi- 
tion, both by land and by sea, was organized 
to go in eearch of San Diego, and thence to 
proceed on to Monterey. 

The forethought and practical wisdom of 
these two men are evidenced by the com- 
prehensive provision they made, for the ma- 
terial as well as spiritual welfare of the 
missions and presidios, which they were to 
establish among the heathen of Alta Cali- 
fornia. All manner of seeds and grain and 
useful animals, ganado mayor y menor; 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



such farming implements as were obtainable, 
etc., were gatiiered from tlie various Mis- 
sions of the Peninsular, as well as church or- 
naments and vestments; and these latter were 
placed on board the vessels. In the archives 
of this State is to be found the manifest of 
the San Gdrloa, the flag-shfp of this e.xpedi- 
dition, which includes a list of the persons 
on board, sixty-two in all, and an inventory 
of eight months' provisions. 

The cattle, about 200 head, horses, 140 
head, and forty or fifty mules and asses, were 
by direction of Galvez gathered from the 
various missions, and after many delays, were 
taken to San Diego with the land expedi- 
tions, in order that the new country, which 
he believed was fertile, 7night be stocked and 
cultivated, so that in future years there 
should be no want of something to eat. No 
wonder that the new missions, under such wise 
managers as these, afterward became prosper- 
ous and wealthy. 

In Galvez' instructions to Captain Vicente 
Villa, of the San Carlos, and to Lieutenant 
Pedro Fiiges, commander of the twenty-five 
soldiers which sailed with Captain Villa, he 
declared the objects of the expedition to be, 
to establish " the Catholic religion among a 
numerous heathen people submerged in the 
darkness of paganism; to extend the domin- 
ion of the king our lord ; and to protect this 
peninsular from the ambitious designs of 
foreign nations, " etc.; and that tliese objects 
had been entertained since 160G, when Philip 
III ordered Vizcaino to make a second voy- 
age to the coast of California, but which was 
prevented by the latter's death. Galvez 



charges them to spare no labor or fatigue to 
accomplish such just and holy aims, and adds 
in his own hand-writing the following: 

"Note: That to thefort or presidio, which 
may be constructed, and to the pueblo (vil- 
lage) of the mission, which may be established 
at Monterey, there shall be given the glorious 
name of San Carlos de Monterey. 

" Jose DE Galvez. 
" {Rubric.) " 

The land expedition under command of 
Governor Gaspar de PortaU, accompanied 
by Father -Junipero Serra, president of the 
Missions of Baja California, and Father 
Crespf, arrived in San Diego, where they 
found the two vessels the San Carlos and 
the San Antonio at anchor. They immediately 
set about founding a mission at that place. 
In the meantime, to- wit, on the 14th of July, 
1769, Governor Portald and Father Juan 
Crespi, with a company of sixty-five persons 
in all, and a pack-train of provisions, pushed 
on northwardly by land, to re-discover and 
occupy Monterey, in pursuance of Galvez' 
orders, and of Philip Ill's scheme promul- 
gated 163 years before. In Bancroft's History 
of California, Vol. I, pp. 140, et seq., a very 
full and interesting account of this expedition 
is given, including a description of the route 
taken, as described in Friar Crespi's diary 
and Lieutenant Fages' narrative. Portala 
and his party were gone more than six 
months; they were at Monterey, where tliey 
set up a cross without recognizing the place, 
which Vizcaino had described as it appeared 
in approaching from the sea. This caused 
them to keep on their journey, forty leagues 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



farther to the northward, where they dis- 
covered the bay of San Francisco. Return- 
ing, they reached San Diego January 24, 
1770, where they found the small band which 
they had left there six months before, short 
of supplies and very much discouraged; and 
Portalii determined to abandon the mission, 
if relief did not soon arrive. However, the 
San Antonio, which had been dispatched to 
San Bias, returned with abundance of pro- 
visions ou the 19th of March, and also brought 
fresh instructions from the viceroy and from 
Galvez, which entirely changed the aspect of 
affairs. 

Portala and Crespi at once made prepara- 
tions in obedience to the new orders, for 
another expedition overland to Monterey, 
which this time they found; and, together 
with Father Junipero, who arrived in the 
San Antonio a few days later, to-wit, on the 
31st of May, they made ready to take formal 
possession, in the name of tlie king, Carlos 
III, which was done after solemn religious 
ceremonies, by raising and saluting the royal 
flag of Spain, June 3, 1770. 

Father Junipero, with pious enthusiasm, 
wrote that he found the lovely port of Mon- 
tery the same, and unchanged in substance 
and circumstance, as the expedition of Se- 
bastian Yizcaino left it in 1603; and that 
all the officers of sea and land, and all their 
people assembled in the same glen and un- 
der the same oak where the Fathers of Viz- 
caino's expedition had worshiped ; and there 
they arranged their altar, hung up and rang 
their bells, sang the Veni Creator, blessed the 
holy water, and set up and blessed the cross 



and the royal standards, concluding the whole 
with a Te Deum. 

The realization of the long-cherished plans 
of the crown of Spain, and of its vice- regal 
representatives in Mexico, of the occupation 
of the important port of Monterey, and 
thereby, by implication of the vast region, 
known as Alta California, was the cause of 
much rejoicing in the city of Mexico when 
the news was received there. The bells of 
the cathedral and of all the other churches 
were rung; the viceroy and Galvez received 
the congratulations of the populace at the 
palace; and the news of the auspicious event 
was hailed with universal satisfaction by the 
people of both New and Old Spain. 

Father Junipero removed his mission soon 
after from Montery to the Carmelo valley, 
where there were good water and land, and 
where his neophytes might be away from the 
immediate, and not always salutary influence 
of the presidio soldiers. Here permanent and 
substantial buildings were erected; here, the 
venerable founder and president of the mis- 
sions of California made his home during the 
remainder of his life; from this point he 
made excursions to the other missions which 
had been established under his direction; and 
here, under the altar of the church, which he 
had built, his remains lie buried. He died 
August 28, 1784. One hundred years later, 
in 1884, his death was commemorated by the 
restoration of his old church to its former 
state, by his admirers, under the leadership of 
Honorable Antonio F. Coronel and of the 
parish priest of Monterey, Reverend Angel 
Casanova. 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



25 



There were nine missions established un- 
der Father Serra's administration, namely: 

San Diego July 16, 1769 

San Carlos de Monterey June 3, 1770 

San Antonio de Padua July 14, 1771 

San Gabriel, Archangel, September 8, 1778 

San Luis, Obispo September 1, 1772 

San Francisco, Dolores. . .October 9, 1776 

Santa Clara July 18, 1777 

San Buenaventura March 31, 1782 

San Juan Capistrano November 1, 1776 

In order to protect tiie missions, four mil- 
itary posts called presidios were established 
during this period of Father Serra's presi- 
dency, at the following sea-ports, namely: 

San Diego 1769 

Monterey 1770 

San Francisco 1776 

Santa Barbara 1780 

After Serra's death the missions continued 
to prosper, subjecting large numbers of wild 
Indians to their rule; other missions were 
founded under the presidency of Serra's suc- 
cessors, Palou, Lasuen, Tapis, Senan, Payeras, 
etc., till the number amounted in all to 
twenty-one. These later-founded missions 
were : 

Santa Barbara December 4, 1786 

La Purisima December 8, 1787 

Santa Cruz September 25, 1791 

La Soledad October 9, 1791 

San Jose June 11, 1797 

San Juan Bautista June 24, 1797 

San Miguel July 25, 1797 

San Fernando September 8, 1797 

San Luis Rey June 13, 1798 



Santa Lies September 17, 1804 

San Kafael December 14, 1817 

San Francisco Solano August 25, 1823 

As the missions practically controled 
most of the land, and as domestic live-stock 
increased with astonishing rapidity, and 
moreover as the Fathers taught their neo- 
phytes that industry was only second to the 
creed itself in importance, the mission es- 
tablishments all prospered wonderfully in 
worldly possessions; so much so, in fact, 
that the impression gained currency in Mex- 
ico that the Franciscan Fathers in (California 
lived in lu.\iiry, which was liable to slacken 
their zeal and lessen their usefulness and 
solemn monitions came back from the 
proper authorities, warning the missionaries 
against the supposed dangers which threat- 
ened them in this direction. 

THE NEW WORLD C0L0NIZP:d ON A POLITICO- 
RELIGIOUS BASIS. 

The plan adopted hy Spain for the occu- 
pation and settlement of the Californias, 
has often been unjustly criticised, because it 
was not understood. The founding of relig- 
ious colonies in the New World was not 
alone peculiar to Spain or to the Latin races. 
Probably the jjeople of Europe generally 
were much more devout, one, two and three 
centuries ago, than they are to-day. At any 
rate, people mixed up their religion with 
their politics to a greater extent then than 
they do now, or at least in a different fashion. 
Most of the Anglo-Saxon colonies of North 
America were settled largely on a religious 



26 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



basis. Moreover, Spain had been successful 
in making good citizens, by the religious 
colony system, of the Aztecs and other In- 
dians of Mexico, as well as of various tribes 
in South America, and in the Islands of the 
South Seas. 

PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE MISSION SYSTEM. 

That the experiment partially failed in the 
Californias was not so mucli the fault of the 
system as it was of the Indian himself. 
Even if the critics of the mission system had 
taken him in hand, and had eliminated all 
Christian or religious teaching from their 
methods, and had only dosed him with social 
maxims, or diluted political economy, it is 
doubtful if they would have succeeded any 
better with bim than did the good Francis- 
can Friars. The "Digger Indians" of Cali- 
fornia did not have within them capabilities 
for the making of self-governing, enlight- 
ened citizens. The methods also of the mis- 
sionaries have often been commented on un- 
favorably. But if we compare their methods 
with those adopted by even religious wliite 
people, in the New England and other colo- 
nies, toward the Indians wJiich formerly in- 
habited the territory now included in the 
United States, we are compelled to admit 
that the Franciscans lose nothing by such 
comparison. Though, in strict justice, it 
must be said, that, if the latter were not 
forced into bloody wars of extermination, it 
was perhaps mainly, but not altogether, be- 
cause the Diggers did not have the spirit — 
shall it be said, the warlike spirit? — of the 



Pequots, the Mohawks or of the Semi- 
uoles. It would seem to be the rule with 
Anglo-Saxon colonists that the contact of a 
superior with an inferior and non-assimila- 
tive race, results, almost invariably, in the 
disappearance of the latter. With colonists 
of the Latin races, the rule has exceptions, 
notably in the case of Mexico, and in Peru 
and some other South American States, 
where the native races showed a capacity, 
both for assimilation and for development; 
and where they eventually acquired, purely 
through the inherent qualities of their blood, 
a prominent, if not a dominant, position in the' 
State. 

It was hoped by Spain that the mission, 
aries, who were lired with zeal for the prop- 
agation of their faith, would be able to 
gather into the missions the Indians of this 
new country, and gradually civilize them and 
mold them into citizens, so that in a few 
years the missions might be converted into 
self-governing j9M«5^os or towns, as had been 
done in the central portions of New Spain, 
And thus the experiment went on from year 
to year till Mexico, having declared her in. 
dependence, found that the long-tried experi- 
ment could never result in success; and so 
she took up the matter with vigor, as the 
mission Indians had not, neither was there 
any likelihood that they ever would, become, 
citizens; and the possession or occupation of 
the lands for the use of the missions and of 
the Indians prevented her real or actual 
citizens, as well as foreigners who might de- 
sire to become citizens, from settling up the 



MONTEREY COUNT Y. 



27 



country. By a decree of the Mexican Con- 
gress of August 18, 1S24-, very liberal pro- 
vision was made for the granting of lands to 
actual settlers. Of course tiie missionary 
fathers were averse to what they looked upon 
as an encroachment of the secular power on 
their rights. The contest between the secular 
and ecclesiastical authorities in the province 
continued for years, having commenced under 
the Spanish regime; and although the Gov- 
ernment of Mexico was kindly disposed to- 
ward the mission authorities, it could not let 
things drift indefinitely. Finally, August 17, 
1833, the Mexican Congress passed a law 
secularizing the missions, and depriving the 
Friars of all control of the mission property, 
thus opening the entire territory of Alta 
California to settlement by Spanish- Ameri- 
can citizens, or to foreigners who should have 
become such. 

While the mission system failed to realize 
the enlightened views of either the Spanish 
or Mexican government in the settlement of 
the country, nevertheless its achievements in 
other directions were not inconsiderable. The 
French traveler and writer, De Mofras, who 
visited California in 1841, estimated that the 
twenty-one missions of Alta California had, 
at the time they were secularized, 30,650 In- 
dians under their control; that they owned 
424,000 horned cattle; 62,500 horses, mules 
and asses, not counting the large number of 
these latter which had run wild; '321,500 
head of sheep, goats and swine; and that the 
corn, wheat and other grains raised by them 
annually amounted to 122,500 bushels. 



Thus is apparent that Galvez and Serra had 
provided cattle, seeds and grain, etc., for the 
new establishment, sixty-live years before, to 
soms purpose. 

PUEBLOS. 

During the mission era, three pueblos, or 
secular towns, were established. These were 
Los Angeles, San Jose and Branciforte; and 
it was thought that through them the bur- 
den of supplying the presidios with ra- 
tions, recruits, etc., by the Mexican Govern- 
ment would be greatly facilitated. The king's 
ranch. El Rancho del Reij, in the Salinas 
valley, helped also to furnish supplies for 
the presidios. 

As Monterey was the capital of Alta Cali- 
fornia throughout nearly the entire period 
of both the Spanish and Mexican regimes, 
and as the governors usually resided at Mon- 
terey, where also the custom house was lo- 
cated, a list of those officials will not be with- 
out interest in a history of Monterey, whose 
port, from the settlement of the country, till 
1846, was really the most important port in 
California. 

SPANISH GOVERNORS. 

Gaspar de Portola 1767 to 1771 

Felipe de Barri 1771 " 1774 

Felipe de Neve 1774 " 1782 

Pedro Fages 1782 " 1790 

Josd Antonio Romeu. . . . ....1790 " 1792 

Jose J. de Arrillaga (ad int.). 1792 " 1794 

Diego de Borica 1794 " 1800 

Jose J. de Arrillaga. 1800 " 1814 

Jose Arguello (ad interim) . . . .1814 " 1815 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



Pablo Vicente de Sola 1815 



1822 



MEXICAN GOVEENORS. 

Pablo V. de Sola Nov. 1822 to 

Luis Arguello 1823 to June 

Jose M.deEchandia June 1825" Jan. 
Manuel Victoria. . .Jan. 1831 " Jan. 

Pio Pico Jan. 1832 

Jose Figneroa Jan. 1833 

Jose Castro ^"g- l^^^ 

NicoMs Gutierrez Jan. 1836 
Mariano Chico. . ..May 1836 

Nicolas Guntierrez 1836 

Juan B. Alavarado 1836 

Manuel Micheltorena. Dec. 1842 
Pio Pico Feb. 1845 



Jan. 
Aug. 
Jan. 
May 



Dec. 
Feb. 
July 



1823 
J825 
1831 
1832 
1833 
1835 
1836 
1836 



1842 
1845 
1846 



CHAPTER V. 



FOUNDING OF THE FIRST MISSIONS. 

IT will only be possible, within the limits 
of this work, to note in the briefest man- 
ner the annals of Monterey during the 
mission era. 

Soon after the founding of the mission of 
San Carlos, Governor Portola turned over the 
government of the new establishments of 
Monterey and San Diego to Captain Pedro 
Fages, as military commandant, and returned 
to Mexico. Fathers Junipero and Crespi 
entered with zeal on their work. Provision 
had been made in Mexico, on receipt of the 
news of the occupation of Alta California, 
for the founding of six new missioiis; these 
were San Buenaventura, San Gabriel, San 
Luis Obispo, San Antonio, Santa Clara and 



San Francisco. In July, 1871, Father Juni- 
pero, with two other priests, and a small force 
of soldiers and neophytes, proceeded south to 
the Canada de los Robles, where with due 
ceremonies they founded the mission of San 
Antonio. The Indians were induced to as- 
sist in building a church or capilla, and other 
necessary houses, for the two priests and 
their guard of six soldiers. 

In the meantime, work was going on in 
the erection, on a larger scale, of mission 
buildings in the Carmelo valley, whither 
President Serra had determined to remove 
the Monterey establishment, and where 
he intended, thereafter, to make the head- 
quarters of all the missions of California. 
At first the buildings were constructed of 
timber, which was abundant in the vicinity; 
the present stone church, having been erected 
at a later period, the date of which is un- 
known. It is believed, however, that the 
present structure occupies the same spot as 
the original wooden structirre, under which 
four Fathers, Crespi and Serra, Lopez and 
Lasuen, were buried. In fact their graves 
were formally located by proper excavations, 
which Father Casanova, present pastor of 
Monterey, caused to be made, in the presence 
of many witnesses, on July 3, 1882. How- 
ever, the present edifice is much larger than 
that which it displaced, being 165 feet in 
length, inside measurements, by twenty-nine 
feet in width, and sixty-two feet from the 
floor to the to]) of the arched roof; whereas 
the former building, according to the record 
of Father Palon, was only thirty varas in 






i 



•I 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



length, or something over eighty feet. In 
the cemetery near by are buried otlier priests 
and two governors, and besides, it is said, 
more than 2,700 Indians. 

The buildings of most of the missions were 
constructed, as nearly as possible, on a gen- 
eral, uniform plan, the church being built in 
the center, of stone or adobe and roofed with 
tile, l^ear by were the residences of the 
priests, the storehouses for the storage of 
grain, wine and oil, and shops for the black- 
smiths aud for the soap-makers, and at some 
of the establishments for wine and oil presses, 
etc. In the larger missions, like those of San 
Gabriel, San Fernando, etc., where eventually 
large vineyards and olive orchards were 
planted, and where the neophytes were very 
numerous, the missions were laid out on an 
extensive scale. At night the men and 
women were locked up separately; and the 
discipline, though at all times was very strict, 
was paternal and kind toward those Indians 
who were docile and industrious; but senti- 
mental considerations were not permitted to 
stand in the way of the rigorous treatment of 
those who did not behave themselves, or who 
were in any wise obstreperous. 

A little distance away from the central 
buildings were large corrals for the cattle, 
horses or sheep; and not far off was the " ran- 
cheria," or Indian camp. Also, close by, 
there was usually a building provided as quar- 
ters for a few soldiers. Most of the missions 
had gardens, and small orchards of pear, 
peach, lig, pomegranate, and other fruit trees. 
Each mission was uuder the control of a 



priest, who was responsible to the resident 
president of the Franciscan order in Califor- 
nia, who, in turn, was subject to the orders 
of the College of San Fernando, in the city 
of Mexico. The heads of some of these mis- 
sions were not only zealous in spiritual mat- 
ters, but they were also wise managers of the 
temporalities placed under their charge, and 
as a consequence the establishments uuder 
their rule prospered exceedingly. 

The presidios, which were generally some 
distance away from the missions, consisted of 
barracks for the officers aud men, warehouses, 
aud a church or chapel, etc., inclosed by high 
adobe walls in an area several yards square. 
They were supposed to be garrisoned by 
seventy soldiers, but in fact they did not 
often reach that number. The military au- 
thority of each comraandante extended over a 
certain section of the territory, and he rep- 
resented the viceroy throughout that district; 
and he might be, and often was, a sort of 
independent despot, in his way. He was re- 
quired to protect the missions, but not to 
interfere with their internal management. 
The treatment of the Indians by the com- 
mandantes was not always in accord with that 
of the missionaries, the former being some- 
times harsh and brutal, whilst the latter was 
gentle, as a rule. 

The differences between the military and 
religious authorities became finally so serious 
that President Serra felt impelled to make a 
trip to the city of Mexico in 1772 -73, in 
order to have those differences composed, and 
to obtain a clearei- definition of the mutual 



30 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



relations between the differing parties. In 
this he was successful, and ou his return 
matters moved on more smoothly. He also 
fully reported to the viceroy the condition 
and wants of the missions under his juris- 
diction. 

The commandantes of presidios, under 
Spanish laws, were authorized to grant build- 
ing lots or solares to soldiers and others, un- 
der certain restrictions; and the lirst grant 
made was by Rivera y Moncada to Manuel 
Bruton, a soldier of the presidio at Monterey, 
who had married an Indian neophyte. Tlie 
grant contained 140 varas square. 

In the spring of 1772, Fages, with Friar 
Crespi, and a dozen soldiers, in pursuance of 
oi'ders from the viceroy, set out by land on 
an exploring expedition to the port of San 
Francisco, for the purpose of establishing a 
mission and presidio there in order to pre- 
vent the occupation of that important harbor 
by any foreign power. 

In 1773, Fages, while searching for de- 
serters in the mountains southeast of the 
Salinas valley, saw the Tulare plains. This 
year the first annual report of the condition 
of the missions was made to the viceroy. 
At San Carlos and San Antonio, at tlie end 
of 1773, there had been 165 and 158 bap- 
tisms, respectively. At both these missions 
the gentile Indians were becoming more 
friendly; they could not resist the kindness 
of the missionaries, nor the food which was 
offered them. 

The expedition of Fages and Crespf in 
1772 to the bay of San Francisco, passed 



along the east side of the bay, and, being 
unable to cross over to the entrance of the 
harbor, returned without selecting a site for 
a mission; but, in the latter part of 1774, 
anotlier expedition, under Commandante 
Rivei-a y Moncada and Father Palou, set 
out from Monterey, and following up the 
west side of San Francisco bay they at last 
came in siglit of the Golden Gate. 

Father Palou found suitable sites on this 
expedition for several missions, including 
those whereon San Juan Eautista, Santa 
Cruz and Dolores were afterward estab- 
lished. 

Governor Felipe de JSeve, who had been 
residing at Loreto, Eaja California, exercis- 
ing his functions as governor of both the 
Californias, was directed by the king in a 
royal order, issued in 1775, to reside at Mon- 
terey, which was to be the capital of the 
Californias, Rivera y Moncada was required 
to reside at Loreto, and act as lieutenant- 
governor. This change was due to the influ- 
ence and sagacity of Jose de Galvez, who was 
now Minister of State for the Indies. Gover- 
nor Neve, who was an enlightened ruler, soon 
after his arrival at Monterey, inaugurated 
a movement for the establishment of pueblos, 
for the double purpose of encouraging set- 
tlers, and furnishing grain and other produce 
to the presidios. Under his fostering care, 
San Jose and Los Angeles were founded, and 
they prospered from the start. President 
Serra was not pleased with the policy, and in- 
sisted that the missions could have furnished 
the presidios with needed supplies. But, as 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



Neve said, " This would not people the land 
with Spanish subjects." 

A new and comprehensive system of mili- 
tary government for the Californias was de- 
vised by Governor Neve, at the request of 
the king, and was duly submitted for royal 
approval. This important document was 
issued June 1, 1779, without moditication, as 
recommended by Neve, and was to go into 
effect in 1781. 

Bancroft gives the details, which he claims 
were never before published, of a quarrel 
between Governor Neve and President Serra, 
in regard to the administration of the rite of 
confirmation. It was the old fight, in which 
the prerogatives of the State were pitted 
against the prerogatives of the church. 

Governor Neve received an order from the 
king in 1777, not to permit Captain Cook, 
the commander of two English vessels sailing 
in the south seas, to enter any ports of Cali- 
fornia. In 1779, the first Spanish galleon 
from Manila, the San Jose, Captain Jose 
Imparan, arrived off Monterey, but did not 
anchor, although some of her officers came on 
shore. 

This year neophyte alcaldes and rogidores 
were elected at San C^^rlos and San Antonio, 
and other missions. 

On the 10th of September, 1782, Neve 
turned over the office of governor of the 
province to Fages, the former having been 
promoted to the position of Inspector Gen- 
eral of Provincias Internas; and he also had 
conferred on him by the king, the Cross of 
the Order of San Carlos; while Fages was 



appointed by the viceroy successor of Neve 
as governor of California. Fages took up 
his residence at Monterey, the capital, in the 
latter part of this year, and filled the office 
till 1790. 

In 1785 the social life of Monterey was 
enlivened by a quarrel between Fages and 
his wife, " la Sefiora gobernadora " as she was 
known, a lady of gentle birth, and a native of 
Catalonia, but who apparently had a will of 
her own. After a year's residence she tired 
of provincial life, and desired to leave Cali- 
fornia. Out of a temporary separation, a 
scandal developed, which disturbed not only 
the peace of society at the capital, but of both 
the military and ecclesiastical authorities. 
After a time, however, the bitterness of the 
quarrel between the governor and his wife 
exhausted itself, and, through the interces- 
sion of friends and of the padres at San Car- 
los, they became reconciled. As Fages, like 
Neve, was a capable as well as a conscientious 
servant of the State, and as the president of 
of missions, Lasuen, like Serra, was both a 
zealous and an able servant of the church, it 
is not very strange that the contest of pre- 
rogatives engendered between Serra and Neve 
should have continued between Lasuen and 
Fages. In fact the contest was perennial, and 
never altogether ceased till the final secular- 
ization of the missions in 1833. 

The distinguished navigator. La Perouse, 
in his voyage of scientific discovery around 
the world anchored " among the whales " in 
Monterey bay for ten days in the month of 
September, 1786, and he and his officers and 



83 



MONTE HKT COUNTY. 



scientific corps were very cordially enter- 
tained by Governor Fages, and by tlie padres 
of San Carlos. Necessary supplies were 
obtained, for which payment was reluctantly 
received. Tlie gallant Frenchman asked leave 
to make certain presents to the soldiers and 
to the missions; and in his account of his 
visit he makes mention of this incident. 
" Our gardener gave to the missionaries some 
potatoes from Chili, perfectly sound; I be- 
lieve this is not one of the least of our gifts, 
and that this root will succeed perfectly 
around Monterey." lie also mentions that a 
haridmill for grinding grain was presented 
to the mission whereby four n(H)])hyte women 
could do the work of a hundred by their primi- 
tive methods. La i'erouse's observations 
concerning California, or so much of it as he 
saw and learned of it, in his brief visit to 
Monterey, are wonderfully accurate. 

Governor Fages issued an order to Com- 
mandante Jos6 Arguello, of San Francisco, in 
May, 1789, warning him to be watchful of 
"a ship named Columbia, which tliey say 
belongs to General Washington of the Amer- 
ican States,'' and directing iiim to secure tiie 
vessel and all the people on board if she 
should enter the port of San Francisco, which 
she never did, though she was in I'acitic 
waters. 

About fifty men, under a lieutenant and 
ensign (alferez), belonged to the presidio of 
Monterey at this period. Besides there were 
a snrgeon and one or more mechanics. A 
force of half a dozen soldiers was stationed at 
San Cilrlos and San Antonio. The herds, 



large and small, mayor y menor, of the pre- 
sidio in 1790, amounted to about 4,000 head. 
At San Antonio there were over 1,000 neo- 
phytes and of large animals upward of 2,200 
head, and of small, nearly 2,000. 

Governor Fages' resignation was accepted 
by the viceroy in May, 1890, and lie was 
succeeded l)y eJose Antonio Romeu, who did 
not, however, assume the duties of the office 
till A{)ril, 1791. A close study of the char- 
acters of the early governors of California 
will convince any candid student of history 
of the truth of Bancroft's dictum that they 
were by no moans the colorless " nonentities 
that modern writers iiave painted them, and 
that among them all there is no more original 
and attractive character than the bluff Cata- 
lan soldier, Pedro Fages." 

During Romeu's term, two missions were 
founded, namely: Santa Cruz, September 25, 
and La Soledad, October 9, both in the year 

1791. In September of this year, Monterey 
was visited by another scientific exploring 
expedition tliat sent out by Spain under 
Maiaspina, which stayed in port some twelve 
days. It is said that the first American who 
ever came to California was a John Groem, 
or Graham, of Boston, who had shipped as 
gunner of this e.xpedition at Cadiz. lie re- 
mained here, and was buried at his death at 
San Cdrlos. 

On the death of Governor Romeu, April 9, 

1792, Captain Jose J. de Arrillaga, command- 
ante at Loreto, and lieutenant-governor of the 
Calii'ornias, became governor at/ ithterim, serv- 
inir till 1794. He arrived at the capital 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



soon after the death of llomeii, and entered 
at once on a task, which had occupied his 
predecessor, namely, the adjustment of tlie 
presidial accounts, which had fallen into great 
confusion. In the latter part of 1792, Van- 
couver, in command of an English exploring 
expedition around the world, and De la 
Bodega y Cuadra, Spanish commissioner, 
visited Monterey and remained some time, or 
till the middle of January, 1793, wiien the 
three Spanish and two English vessels sailed 
south simultaneously. As the otHcers of both 
fleets were cordially received by the author- 
ities, civil and clerical, on shore, the visit 
was a very pleasant one for all parties. 
Astronomical observations had been taken on 
shore by Vancouver's scientific corps, and 
many social courtesies were exchanged, all of 
which made the reception, which Vancouver 
met on his visit a year later, seem the more 
chilling by contrast. Arrillaga, who was at 
Loreto at the tiine of Vancouver's first visit, 
feared that the object of the latter was to 
make observations concerning the condition 
of the country, and having arrived at Mon- 
terey he was disposed to facilitate such 
observations as little as possible. However, 
on a third visit, in 1794, Vancouver was very 
cordially received by Alva, and by Arguello, 
and later by the new governor, Borica, on his 
arrival in November. 

Vancouver's record of what he saw in 
California is historically interesting and 
valuable. 

(Tovernor de I'orica was naturally delighted 
with Monterey. In letters to his friends he 



wrote: "This is a great country; climate 
healthful, between cold and temperate, good 
bread, excellent meat, tolerable fish, and hon 
humeur which is worth all the rest. Plenty 
to eat, but the most astounding is the general 
fecundity, both of rationals and irrationals. 
The climate is so good that all are getting io 
look like Englishmen. This is the most 
peaceful and quiet country in the world; one 
lives better here than in the most cultured 
court of Europe." He was not far wrong as 
all eclectic people will say, even to this day. 
Borica, who served as governor of the pro- 
vince till 1800, proved to be an intelligent, 
tactful and faithful executive, lie lived in 
peace with the padres, and general quietness 
and prosperity ])revailcd during his rule. In 
the year 1797-'98, five missions and one pue- 
blo were founded. The condition of Alta 
California in 1800 may be summarized in a 
few words: Eighteen missions, four presidios 
and three pueblos or towns had been estab- 
lished, each one of which was entitled to four 
leagues of land for the beiu^fit of its inhabit- 
ants, there were also a few persons occupying 
public lands engaged in stock-raising. 

Estimates from records and reports of the 
missions for this jjoriod, show that there were 
nearly 200,000 head of animals, large and 
small; of this luunber, 150,000 belonged to 
the missions; 18,000 to 20,000 to the presi- 
dios; and 15,000 or- 16,000 to the pueblos. 
The king's rancho, near Monterey (located at 
or near the jirescnt site of Salinas city), with 
branches near San Francisco and San Diego, 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



furnished most of the meat as well as the 
cavaliy liorses needed at the presidios. 

By means of rude looms coarse blankets 
and other cloths were woven from wool and 
hemp, by the neophytes at the missions; 
hides were tanned, and shoes, etc., were made 
in rough fashion ; soap and coarse pottery 
were also manufactured. 

The beginning of this century found the 
venerable Father Lasuen as president of the 
missions, with headquarters still at San Cdr- 
los, where he died June 26, 1803, universally 
respected by all, natives and foreign visitors. 

CHABTER VI. 

FEOM 1800 TO CLOSE OF MISSION ERA. 

fOSE J. ARRILLAGA became governor in 
1800 and continued to till the office till 
1814, during which period comparatively 
few events occurred requiring mention here. 
In 1804 the separation of the Californias was 
authorized by royal decree to be known there- 
after as Antigua (old) and Nueva (new) 
California. 

The population in 1810 of gente de razon 
(others than Indians) of the Monterey juris- 
diction amounted, according to Bancroft, to 
about 480 souls; or, including Branciforte 
and Santa Cruz, 550, with a neopypte popu- 
lation of about 5,000. 

It is said that bears were so numerous and 
bold at this period that they would kill cattle 
daily, in sight of the vaqueros\ that wolves 
would even attack work-horses between Mon- 
terey and the mission; and that in 1805, as 
the records showed, about 400 head of stock 



were killed in the neighborhood of the 
"king's ranch" by wild beasts. The neo- 
phytes at San Antonio, in 1805, numbered 
nearly 1,300, and of Soledad, over 700. 
Governor Arrillaga died July 24, 1814, and 
was succeeded by Jose Arguello, command- 
ante of Santa Barbara, as governor ad iti- 
terim, or till the appointment of Pablo Vi- 
cente de Sola, who was the last governor un- 
der Spanish rule. 

The year 1818 was long remembered as the 
year in which Monterey was attacked by the 
pirates under Bouchard, a privateer from 
South America, with letters of marque, who, 
with two armed vessels bombarded, captured, 
and held the town for a short time, or three 
or four days; when, after setting fire to the 
presidio and fort, and the houses of the 
governor and commandant and doing con- 
siderable other damage he departed down the 
coast, where, at various points, he frightened 
the people and did more or less damage. He 
did not obtain much booty in his California 
raid. 

The estimated population of California as 
collated by Bancroft for the year 1820 of 
Spanish and mixed blood or of gente de razon, 
was 3,270 souls. The number of persons not 
of Spanish or Indian blood was placed at 
thirteen; and of neophytes, 20,500. 

In 1822, Governor Sola was elected to 
represent California in the Mexican cortez or 
congress, and he was succeeded by Captain 
Luis Arguello, as governor. 

In 1823, Fathers Payeras and Sefian, pre- 
fect and president respectively, died. Both 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



were able and pious prelates and their loss 
was greatly deplored. About this time, 
Americans or English speaking persons be- 
gan gradually to arrive; amongst those who 
arrived this year, were Captain J. B. R. 
Cooper, who became a resident of Monterey 
for so many years, and Daniel A. Hill and 
Thomas M. Eobbins, afterward prominent 
citizens of Santa Barbara county. 

On the 18th of August, 1824, a general 
colonization law was passed by the Mexican 
Congress, which in after years had a very 
important bearing on the material welfare of 
California. David Spence, another of the 
very early pioneers of Monterey, came in 
1824. California was visited this year by a 
Russian scientific expedition, under Otto 
von Kotzebue, of the Imperial Navy, who, in 
his book describing his voyage, speaks with 
enthusiasm and discrimination of this then 
unknown land. In the following extract he 
uses the language, both of a philosopher and 
a prophet: " It has hitherto been the fate of 
these regions, like that of modest merit or 
humble virtue, to remain uimoticed, but pos- 
terity will do them justice; towns and cities 
will hereafter flourish where all is now desert; 
the waters over which scarcely a solitary boat 
is yet seen to glide, will reflect the flags of 
all nations, and a happy and prosperous peo- 
ple, receiving with thankfulness what prodigal 
Nature bestows for their use, will disperse her 
treasures over every part of the world." 

The white population of the Monterey 
jurisdiction, including Santa Cruz and Branci- 
forte in 1830, is variously estimated at from 



1,100 to 1,150, including 120 soldiers at the 
presidio and at the missions, etc., and about 
fifty foreigners. A supplementary act to the 
colonization law of 1824, was passed by the 
Mexican Congress, November 21, 1828. 
Land grants in California were made under 
these laws, which are extant and accessible 
in English through translations of H. "W. 
Halleck. The Solis revolt of 1829, which 
disturbed the peace of Monterey and other 
towns, was suppressed in January, 1830. 
During the last days of December, 1826, 
Captain Beechey's expedition anchored in 
Monterey bay for the purpose of obtaining 
supplies and spars, etc. After a cruise to 
Bering sea, in search of Sir John Franklin, 
he returned to Monterey a year later. The 
narrative of his voyage, published in London 
contained much accurate and valuable infor- 
mation about California. 

In March, 1827, the French ship, Le H^ros, 
Duhaut-Cilly, commander, visited Monterey. 
It also came again in August, the same year, 
and in May, 1828. Having spent consider- 
able time at Monterey and other points in 
California, and being an acute observer, 
Duhaut-Cilly's account of what he saw here 
sixty-five years ago, as published in his voy- 
age around the world, is exceedingly inter- 
esting and valuable; as also are the observa- 
tions of Dr. Botta and Lieutenant Le Netrel 
who accompanied him. December 17th, 
there was a celebration on the Russian vessels 
in Monterey bay of Saint Nicholas' day, and 
a fandango in the town. In February, 1829, 
on the Boston ship, Brookline, arrived at 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



Monterey, Alfred Kobinson, so well and 
favorably known to all early Californians, 
both native and foreign. He married into 
one of the first families of Santa Barbara, 
that of Captain de la Guerra y Noriega. His 
book, "Life in California," is a standard work. 
He is still (_1892) living in San Francisco. 

Among the first overland immigrants 
from the United States were Jedediah S. 
Smith and party of fifteen men, on a trap- 
ping and exploring expedition, who reached 
California in the month of December, 1826. 
This company was the advance guard of the 
great caravans which came in after years, and 
which became so important a factor in the 
building up, on this western coast, of several 
American commonwealths. The movements 
of this party caused some apprehension on 
the part of the authorities, and they were re- 
quired to report at the capital, which they 
did, after various wanderings, in October, 
1827. Here Captain Juan B. R. Cooper 
signed a bond, making himself responsible 
for the good behavior and speedy departure 
of Smith and party for Oregon, whither they 
went, accompanied by an escort of ten men 
as far as San Francisco, Solano, the escort 
being furnished by Governor Echeandia. 

Manuel Victoria was appointed governor 
ill 1830, but he did not arrive in Monterey 
till January, 1831. He made himself very 
unpopular with the Californians, and after 
less than a year's troubled rule, filled with 
petty quarrels, he was compelled to leave the 
country, or at least to vacate his office. Don 
Carlos Carrillo, who had been elected to the 



Mexican Congress, made the administration 
acquainted with the condition of affairs in 
California, urging the pressing need of an 
organic law, and of the establishment of 
courts of justice, and of a reform in the ad- 
ministration of the finances of the territory. 
He pointed out the injustice as well as the 
impolicy of promoting Mexicans over native 
Californians of experience and proved ca- 
pacity; and he recommended the separation of 
the political from the military power. Being 
himself a native Californian, he took a patri- 
otic interest in the welfare of the Province. 
His address to Congress was published, and 
was a fair presentation of the claims of Cali- 
fornia on the central government. The great 
distance of California from the Mexican capi- 
tal, resulted often in its being poorly gov- 
erned, mainly, perhaps, because the state of 
affairs here was not well understood. 

The territorial deputation at Los Angeles 
on the 11th of January, 1832, elected Pio 
Pico, as gefe politico, or chief executive officer 
ad interim; but as the gefe provisional, 
Echeandia, and the ayuntamiento of Los 
Angeles declined to recognize him, he only 
served twenty days; and there was an inter- 
regnum till the appointment of General Jose 
Figneroa, during which period one Zam- 
orano, of Monterey, and Echeandia, at San 
Diego, pretended each to exercise authority, 
thus presenting the unseemly spectacle of 
a double-headed government. But the peo- 
ple generally minded their own private affairs 
and paid very little attention to these fac- 
tional heroes. 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



Governor Figueroa arrived at Monterey, 
January 14, 1833. He caused a brief notice 
of his arrival to be printed at Monterey — 
which was the first printing done in Califor- 
nia — and circulated with an address to the 
people, which he brought with him from 
Mexico. The type used in printing his 
notice of arrival he also probably brought with 
him. They were afterward used by Walter 
Colton and Dr. ISeniple in printing, in En- 
glish and Spanish at Monterey, the first 
newspaper in the Territory, called The Cali- 
fornian. Figueroa was a man of much 
tact and considerable ability, and he soon 
succeeded in harmonizing all interests. In 
December, Juan Bandini was elected deputy 
to Congress. 

On the first of May, 1834, the Territorial 
Assembly, or Diputacion Territoral, as they 
called themselves, met at the house of 
Governor Figueroa, with that officer as presi- 
dent, and all the members present except Pio 
Pico. This body had many sessions during 
the year as there was much public business 
which required attention. 

Some of the more important matters con- 
sidered were the secularization of the mis- 
sions, finance, the granting of public lands, 
and municipal governments. 

In October Jose Antonio Carrillo was 
elected member of Congress. 

A company of colonists, which had been 
recruited in Mexico, arrived this year, on 
the two vessels, Natalia and Morelos, from 
San Elas. Some of these colonists were 
destined for the southern part of the Terri- 



tory; the balance arrived at Monterey late in 
the year. Among the colonists who after- 
ward became prominent in Californian an- 
nals, were: Abrego, Covarrubias, the Coro- 
nels, Estraba, Olvera, Ocampo, Prndon and 
others. It is said that the Natalia, which 
was finally driven ashore in a storm at Mon- 
terey, was the same vessel in which Napoleon 
escaped from the island of Elba in 1815. 

CHAPTER VII. 

SECDLARIZATION. 

N the meanwhile, i. e., from 1831 to 1834, 
the movement which, from the very 
"^ exigencies of the case, that is, from 
inherent and intrinsic causes, had long been 
gathering in force, culminated in the decrees 
passed by Congress, August 17, 1833, and 
April 16, 1834, ordering the secularization 
of all the missions of the republic. Pro- 
visional regulations for carrying out these 
laws were adopted by the Diputacion Terri- 
torial in August. Whereupon the mission- 
aries abandoned many of their establishments, 
and either authorized a general slaughter of 
cattle, or so relaxed their authority, that 
irresponsible parties engaged in the slaugh- 
ter of cattle, till the Diputacion prohibited 
the killing of cattle, except in the usual 
quantities, and by responsible persons. Dur- 
ing 1884 the missions of San Antonio, La 
Soledad and San Juan Bautista were secular- 
ized. In 1833, Bandini sought to have San 
Diego and San Francisco declared by Con- 
gress as the only ports for the admission of 
foreign vessels; but he was unsuccessful, and 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



Monterey continued, as before, the principal 
port of the Territory. Thomas O. Larkin, 
who resided so long in Monterey and who 
became so prominent at the time of the 
change of government, arrived on the New- 
castle, in 1832; and on the same vessel, 
came Mrs. Rachel Holmes, whom Larkin 
married in 1833, and who was the first 
American woman to become a permanent 
resident. 

Governor Figueroa died at Monterey the 
29th of September, 1835. Bancroft, while 
conceding his faults, thinks he was " the 
best Mexican governor ever sent to rule Cali- 
fornia," to which, all who intimately study 
his character, as illustrated by his public acts, 
must assent. He was succeeded by Jose 
Castro as civil governor, and by Nicolas 
Gutierrez as military commander, the two 
departments having been separated by Fi- 
gueroa. 

Of Governor Chico's brief administration, 
in 1836, not much need be said. He was 
one of the very worst of the Mexican govern- 
ors. He was violent in deportment, and 
soon secured the cordial enmity of the Cali- 
fornians. The decent people of Monterey 
were scandalized by his undisguised and fla- 
grant immoralities. And Gutierrez, who 
preceded and succeed him as governor, was 
not much better. Juan B. Alvarado headed 
an uprising early in November, 1836, 
which advanced on Monterey and summarily 
deposed Gutierrez. This movement, while 
it was ostensibly in the direction of inde- 
pendence, practically, was a protest against 



dissolute local government, or anarchy, on 
the one hand, and against centralism on the 
other. The people of the south did not in- 
dorse the northern efforts to effect independ- 
ence; so the plan was modified. California 
determined to govern iierself, but still as a 
province of Mexico. Alvarado, a native 
Californian, was, on the 7th of December, 
elected governor by the Diputacion. A 
long and profitless quarrel ensued l)etween 
Alvarado and Carlos Carrillo and their par- 
tisans, which it is unnecessary to detail here. 
Alvarado was finally recognized by the 
Mexican government, news of his appoint- 
ment as governor being received in Septem- 
ber, 1839. M. G. Vallejo was, at the same 
time, appointed military commander, with 
the rank of colonel. 

The estimated population of the Monterey 
district, in 1840, was about 1,600, 700 of 
whom resided at Monterey. This number 
does not include the mission Indians. San 
Miguel mission was secularized, in 1836, by 
Ignacio Coronel; 1. Garcia was administra- 
tor. The several ranches and vineyards, in- 
cluding the buildings, but e.xcluding church 
buildings and contents, were inventoried at 
upward of §80,000. The secularization of 
San Antonio de Padua took place in 1835; 
and Manuel Crespi was the commissioner. 
La Soledad was secularized by Commissioner 
NicoMs Alviso, in 1835. Ex-Prefect Sarria 
died at this mission this year, aged nearly 
seventy years, after which everything went 
to ruin rapidly. This same year. Commis- 
sioner T. Castro secularized San Juan Bau- 



MONTE RET COUNTY. 



39 



tista, whicli was then in what later was a 
part of Monterey county, but which now is 
San Benito county. Tlie estate, aside from 
church property, amounting to $46,000, was 
inventoried at over $90,000. Much destruc- 
tion was wrought by both ojentile and Chris- 
tianized Indians. 

The inventory in detail showed: Buildings, 
$36,000; implements, furniture, etc., $7,774; 
church building, $35,000; ornaments, vest- 
ments, etc., $7,740; library, $461; six bells, 
$1,060; choir furniture, $1,643; vineyards, 
buildings, etc., outside the mission, $37,365; 
ranches: San Justo, $1,300; Todos Santos, 
$1,755; San Felipe, $16,052; credits, $1,040; 
cash, $222; total, $147,413; less distributed 
to neophytes, $8,439, and debits, $250 ; leaving 
a balance of 1138,723. 

In 1840, California in general, and Monte- 
rey in particular, were much disturbed by a 
plot, or a suspected plot, of Isaac Graham 
and other Americans to overturn the existing 
order. A considerable number of men were 
arrested, and forty-seven were sent to San 
Bias, and thence to Tepic. But eventually 
they were all set at liberty. 

Governor Alvarado issued, January 17, 
1839, a reglamento^i or provisional regula- 
tions, for the government of the administra- 
tors of the missions, under which he ap- 
pointed as visitor-general W. E. P. Hartnell, 
who was honest and capable, who was well 
known and respected, who was a good Span- 
ish scholar, and who performed his duties 
faithfully. In 1840 Alvarado substituted 
mayordomos for administrators, specifying 



clearly their duties in a reglamento dated 
March 1, concerning which Padre Duran ex- 
pressed the opinion that it would "close the 
door to fraud and robbery, but also to all im- 
provement; that the doctor was prevented 
from killing the patient, but had no power to 
cure him." In August of this year Captain 
Sutter came down from New Helvetia to 
Monterey to secure his naturalization papers 
as a Mexican citizen, which he obtained by 
making the necessary proofs, before David 
Spence, as justice of the peace. He also re- 
ceived authority to represent the provincial 
government at New Helvetia, or as he after- 
ward signed himself, " Encargado de justicia, 
y representante del gobierno en las fronteras 
del Rio del Sacramento." 

CALIFORNIA BECOMING KNOWN TO THE WORLD. 

In December, 1837, Captain Belcher, whose 
" Narrative " was published in London, in 
command of the expedition formerly under 
Beechey, visited Monterey. In October of 
this year the French frigate, Venus, Petit- 
Thouars, commander, with a force of upward 
of 300 men, arrived at Monterey, and re- 
mained there nearly a montli. His account 
of California at this period is interesting and 
valuable. The book published by Forbes, in 
1839, is a standard work. Laplace, com- 
manding tlie French frigate, Artemise, of lifty 
guns and 450 men, entered Monterey bay in 
AugTist, 1839, and remained a week. He 
gives an interesting picture of California as 
he saw it in his published account of his 
voyage. W. D. Phelps and T. J. Fariiham 



40 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



visited California in 1840, and afterward 
published books describing what they saw. 
So tliat the world was gradually acquiring 
information concerning this distant region, 
which prior to that time had been a terra 
incognita. 

In 1841, the customhouse collections of the 
department amounted to $100,000. There 
was no meeting of the Territorial Diputacion 
this year. The noted visitors of 1841, who 
published accounts of what they saw, were 
Douglas, de Mofras, Pierce, Wilkes and 
Simpson. Numerous overland parties ar- 
rived this year, causing the authorities some 
apprehension. Alvarado had determined to 
send commissions to Mexico to inform the 
government thoroughly of the condition of 
affairs in California. He, therefore, on the 
20th of January, 1842, despatched Manuel 
Castailares and Francisco Rivera from Monte- 
rey, on the schooner California, for Acapulco. 
The government decided to send troops to 
California; Castanares returned with an ap- 
].>oiiitment as administrator of customs, and 
brought a commission for Alvarado as colonel. 
Manuel Micheltorena had already been ap- 
pointed governor and commandante-general, 
the two offices being again conferred on one 
person. 

The Superior Court met in May at Monte- 
rey, Juan Malarin presiding. Juan Bandini, 
the fiscal or territorial attorney, having 
resigned, Castanares was chosen to fill his 
place. 

THE EPISODE OF 1842. 

It was in 1842 that Commodore Thomas 



Ap Catesby Jones, in command of the United 
States fleet on the Pacific coast, because of 
fears of impending war with Mexico, and 
that the British fleet might attempt to occupy 
California, determined to seize Monterey, the 
capital. Accordingly, on the 19th of Octo- 
ber, Jones, with two men of war, the United 
States and the Cyane, entered the harbor 
and demanded of the governor and military 
commandante the surrender of Monterey. In 
view of " the small force at his disposal, 
affording no hope of successful resistance 
against the powerful force brought against 
him," Alvarado signed articles of capitula- 
tion. But Commodore Jones, learning from 
Larkin and others on shore, on the 20th, that 
the rumors of immediate war were unfounded, 
as were his suspicions that England had any 
present intentions of seizing the country, de- 
cided that, to use his own words, "the mo- 
tives and only justiflable grounds for a 
surrender of the Territory was thus suddenly 
removed, or at least rendered so doubtful as to 
make it my duty to restore things as I had 
found them, with the least possible delay," — 
which determination he at once proceeded to 
carry out on the 21st, his forces retiring to 
their vessels, which thereupon tired a salute 
in honor of the flag of Mexico, which was 
again raised over the fort. 

The people of Monterey were much an- 
noyed by the soldiers which Governor Mich- 
eltorena had brought with him from Mexico, 
some of whom were pardoned convicts. 
They were known as Micheltorena's "cholos," 
and they were a pretty tough lot. The old 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



41 



citizens of the capital and vicinity have no 
pleasant remembrances of this viliianous 
gang. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

PREMONITION OF IMPENDING CHANGE. 

STN July, 1844, news was again received 
ll that war with the United States was im- 
^ minent, as the annexation of Texas had 
been consummated. Micheltorena announced 
his intention to establish his headquarters at 
San Juan Bautista, whither cannon were re- 
moved from Monterey, and where for a time 
the soldiers held possession; while many of 
the citizens, with their movables, had retired 
to the interior, not so much because they 
feared an attack by Americans as that the 
"cholos" would pillage the town, if an enemy 
of any kind should appear, and give them 
the slightest pretext for such an exploit. 

Manuel Castafiares, who represented Cali- 
fornia in the National Congress, was working 
with zeal in behalf of California. He 
warned the government of its danger from 
within and without, urging the sending of 
additional troops, and the payment without 
further delay of those already there. He 
declared that the holding of California was 
more important to the republic than to keep 
possession of Texas. He compared Califor- 
nia to a rough diamond. In his "Exposf- 
cion," addressed to the Government, Sep- 
tember 1, 1844, he used these eloquent and 
prophetic words: "Uncared for f^nd aban- 
doned as hitherto, she will be irredeemably 
lost. * * A powerful foreign nation will 
encamp there; * * then her mines will be 



worked, her ports crowded, her fields culti- 
vated; then will a numerous and industrious 
people acquire property, to be defended with 
their blood; and then, all this, for our coun- 
try, will produce the opposite effects. And 
when there is no longer a remedy, when 
there shall begin to be gathered the bitter 
fruits of a lamentable negligence, and an 
unpardonable error, then we shall deplore in 
vain evils which might have been avoided!" 
But the Mexican Government could not be 
roused to a realizing sense of the situation, 
or would not take Castafiares' view, that dis- 
tant California was really of more importance 
to Mexico than Texas. In the early part of 
1845, the central government was again 
stirred up by reports, to which Castafiares 
earnestly called its attention, that California 
would share the fate of Texas, and that Gov- 
ernor Micheltorena would be driven out of 
the country, unless something was promptly 
done. The administration proposed to ap- 
point Castafiares as civil and military gov- 
ernor. But he would only accept on condi- 
tions of being adequately supported, not 
with promises, but with men and resources 
for the accomplishment of the proposed 
task. But the war came on, and it was 
already too late to do anything to save Cali- 
forpia. 

LATER yiEWS Ojp CASTANARES. 

Manuel Castanares, who, by his residence 
with his family, for several years at Mon- 
terey, and by his able and zealous service of 
the province at the national capital, had 
become thoroughly conversant with the af- 



MONTE BET COUNTY. 



fairs of California was in 1857 summoned 
as a witness, in the great Limantour claim 
to a considerable portion of the land on 
which the city of San Francisco is situated. 
This claim of the astute Frenchman was 
afterward proved to have been based largely 
on forged or falsified documents. 

So, some thirteen years after Castanares 
left Monterey in 1844, to wit, in 1857, he 
came to California again, and gave his testi- 
mony, which it seems was favorable to 
Limantour, before the United States Courts. 

It was the good fortune of the writer of 
these lines to make the acquaintance of Mr. 
Castanares, on his return trip to Acapulco, 
traveling on the same steamer, and occupy- 
ing the same state-room with him. The 
result of many conversations with that gen- 
tleman was embodied in a letter to the San 
Francisco Bulletin, which, in condensed 
form, is of sufficient general and local inter- 
terest to warrant its insertion here. The 
letter was dated — 

ON BOARD THE STEAMER CALIFORNIA, AT SEA. 

September 12, 1857. 
u * * * Castanares says that he is now 
^ Gefe de Haeienda^ of the department of 
LaPuebla, i. e., collector of imposts on to- 
bacco, lotteries, etc., for that district, where 
lie resides with his family. In Mexico, the 
government has Interior, as well as mari- 
time collectors of customs. [We have them 
now, in 1892, in the United States, but did 
not in 1857.] It is also the business of these 
officers to disburse as well as collect public 



moneys, which go to the pavnient of govern- 
mental expenses, the support of troops, etc. 
He says that he receives and pays out 
monthly, $135,000, generally more now, on 
account of the confiscated property of the 
clergy. He is enthusiastic in his admiration 
of Comonfort; says 'he is The Man for 
Mexico;' that the rulers of most countries 
are ambitious and selfish, but that Comonfort 
seemed to have only the liberty and progress 
of Mexico in view. Of Santa Ana he said 
that although he was his friend personally, 
and his father and himself and brothers had 
held offices under him, yet lie did not want 
to see him president again. He (Castailares) 
made reply to one of the priests of La Puebla, 
which is worthy of being preserved. 

"In executing some of the orders of the 
government, one of the principal priests told 
liim he would not grant him absolution, 
'•'■Padre, si Y. no. me absuelve, Dios me ab- 
soj^verd!" Father, if you do not absolve me, 
God will! 

" * * * "Castanares lived four years in 
Montery, from 184Q to 1844, where two of 
his nine children were born. He knows 
most of the old settlers, and captains and 
supercargoes of the Boston ships of that 
period. These he named over to me. He 
was afterward sent to the Mexican Congress 
as delegate for California for two years, 
1844 and 1845. "While there, and in that 
capacity, he opposed and prevented the grunt- 
ing of three hundred leagues of land in, the 
Californias to the Society of Jesus, who had 
asked for that amount of land, through one 



MONT BRET COUNTY. 



of their priests, Padre McNatnara. Castan- 
ares, as representative of the Californias, op- 
posed the measure witli all his energy. He 
procured secret sessions of the National 
Chambers, for several nights previous to the 
final vote, — and noisy sessions they were too, 
he savs, — but he gained the question by only 
three votes. People may now make much 
ado about the Limantour claim, which he 
also opposed, and doubt his testimony, but 
the United States have to thank him, that 
these three hundred leagues were not granted 
away, and which, if done, would have to be 
respected. He opposed, knowing well, as 
he did, the true interests of California, for 
the same general reason, the grants to the 
Jesuits, to Limantour and to Capt. Smith, of 
Bodega; not that he had any enmity against 
these parties, but because he desired that the 
lands of California should be granted to 
actual settlers. 

"He tried also to procure the reversal of the 
grant to Limantour for another reason; 
Limantour was not, and never had been a 
citizen of Mexico, and it was against the law, 
then and still in force in the republic, which 
prohibits the cession of lands within five 
leagues of the coast to foreigners. (Sic.) 
Although Limantour had frequently loaned 
the Mexican Government money at large 
rates of interest, Castanares was in favor of 
paying him in some other way, at least ac- 
cording to law. He wrote, he says, sundry 
communications on this, as well as various 
subjects pertaining to California history at 
tjiat time, wl]ich were printed, and copies of 



which are yet extant, both in Mexico and in 
the hands of i)e la Torre and others in Cali- 
fornia. The Mexican Government, ever dil- 
atory, neglected his advice, and those grants 
were never reversed, and now he says they 
are good, sin duda — without doubt. Why, 
he says, there is Senor Bocanegra, an old 
man seventy-five or eighty years of age, liv- 
ing now in Mexico, who was minister at the 
time of the grant, and who has been judge 
of the Supreme Court of Mexico and foreign 
minister, etc., and a man of the highest prob- 
ity and honor, and is universally esteemed, 
whose correspondence in relation to these 
grants to Limantour is preserved in the pub- 
lic archives of the republic, and who is ut- 
terly incapable of deception and dishonor, he 
(Bocanegra) says the titles are good, and he 
lately acknowledged before witnesses his own 
communications on the subject as contained 
in the archives. * * 

" Castailares says that in 1846 he was apr 
pointed governor qf California and he 
started to come to the country to assume the 
duties qf his office, but on his arrival at 
Tepic he learned that the American forces 
were on this cqast, and so it was not thought 
advisable to sail, and he has not been in 
California since 1844 till the present time. 

" In answer to my question as to why he 
came now to testify, he said that he came at 
the earnest request of the French minister 
in Mexico. In the existing difficulties be- 
tween his country and Spain, out of which it 
was feared war might result, the French 
minister had written several notes, favorable 



MONTE RE f COUNTY. 



to Mexico, to the Spanish Government; and 
now that the French minister liad desired a 
Mexican citizen to come to California, and 
tell what he knew about a grant that was 
made while he was a Kepresentative of Cali- 
fornia in the National Congress, the request 
in courtesy, not to say in gratitude, could 
hardly be denied. Castanares received a tele- 
graphic dispatch on the -Ith of June last at 
LaPuebla, from President Comonfort to come 
to the city of Mexico, where he immediately 
repaired, when the president made known 
the wishes of the Frencii minister. He 
says he told President Comonfort that he did 
not wish to come; that he could not leave 
his ofHce, etc. Well, said the president, you 
can do as you think best; but the French 
minister has pressed rae very strongly that 
you go, and it would gratify me very much 
if you would accede to his wishes, especially 
in view of the favors that he has lately done 
to the Mexican Government. 

"So Castanares could not but consent, and 
his evidence is before the court. He says 
that he has served his country thirty years; 
his father died when he was twenty vears old, 
charging him, being the eldest, with the care 
of nine brothers and sisters and a mother, 
all of whom are still living, and for whom he 
had never ceased to care. And now, after 
having guarded his reputation as dearer than 
aught else, and kept it free from blot or 
blemish, to suppose that he would swear to 
a falsity — those do not know him who believe 
so idle a charge. His good name he desired 
to bequeath to his children untarnished that 



they could not say: <■ Mi padre ha deshonrad 
mi novibre:'' My father has dishonored my 
name. 

"All this Seuor Castanares says with 
great earnestness and feeling. One cannot 
listen to him and not believe that he 'speaks 
the words of truth and soberness,' or at least 
that he is sincere in his opinions. 

"Again: In hearing people talk on the sub- 
ject of Limantour's claims, I told him I 
had heard many say that if his claims were 
good, it was unaccountable that he had not 
made them before. 

"Castanares replied that Limautoiir is, and 
always had been, a keen speculator, and had 
shown himself as such in his dealings with 
the Mexican Government. He had even 
stood ready to furnisli it money or goods, at 
big prices, and at high rates of interest. 

"He was absent in Europe, Castanares 
believes, from 1849 to '52, or ' 53; and then 
he (Limantour) thought it no bad specula- 
tion to let things run — the barren sand hills 
would not, at least, depreciate in value. This 
last is merely a matter of opinion with Cas- 
tanares: he never heard the owner say as 
much, but that is the way he understood it. 

"That Limautour's grant is genuine and 
legal,* and should be allowed, he does not 
doiibt, because he knew the circumstances 
under which it was given, and has been 

*This, however, does not agree with Castaiiares' 
concession that a law of the Mexican Republic pro- 
hibits the session of lands within five leagues of the 
coast to foreigners; and that Limantour was not and 
never had been a citizen of Mexico. Therefore, in 
any case, the grant was illegal. 



MONTE RE 7 COUNTT. 



familiar witli the archives in which the 
records of it have been preserved. 

"Castanares certifies to so many corrobora- 
ting circumstances, and refers to so many 
documents, and shows such close acquaint- 
ance with California history, and tells all 
with the sincere air of a true and honorable 
gentleman, that one is constrained to believe 
that he must be telling the truth. * * * 

"Castanares keeps his room most of the 
time, where many of the passengers have 
called on him, all of whom he receives with 
the courtesy of a Castilian. In an interest- 
ing interview with Dr. Gwin (in which the 
writer acted as interpreter, as Seflor Cas- 
tanares does not speak English), he spoke 
with the intelligence of a statesman and the 
fervor of a patriot of his country, its 
government, its president, and of the future 
of Mexico." 

In the meantime Michel torena had been 
overthrown, and his office was declared va- 
cant by the Junta and Pio Pico, on the 15th 
of February, 1845, was proclaimed the 
legal governor, — and he was the last governor 
under Mexican rule. Don Pio is still (1892) 
alive and vigorous, although in his ninety- 
second year. He was born at the Mission 
San Gabriel, in 1801. He is believed to be 
the only living representative of the Mexican 
ex-goveraors of California. His residence is 
in Los Angeles. 

Bancroft estimates the number of overland 
immigrants to California in 1845, at 250 
persons, of whom he thinks 100 were women 
and children. They came from Oregon, and 



over the Sierra Nevada mountains. Ameri- 
can influence now began to grow very rapidly 
in California. Thomas O. Larkin was United 
States Consul at Monterey. Later he received 
an appointment as confidential agent of the 
United States Govern uient, and he carefully 
kept his governnient advised of the course of 
events here; and being a man of excellent 
judgment his views were considered, and 
really were very valuable. 

Mr. Larkin was born in Charlestown, 
Massachusetts, in 1802. He came to Monte- 
rey in 1832, on the Newcastle, by way of 
Honolulu, and, at first, was employed by his 
half-brother, Captain Cooper. Larkin and Dr. 
Semple^ in 1847 founded the town of Benicia, 
and both he and Semple were members of the 
Constitutional Convention, in 1849. He after- 
ward lived awhile, 1850-'52, with his family 
in New York, but returned in May, 1852, to 
San Francisco, where he died in 1858. Of 
his children, two sons and a daughter, were 
living only a few years since. There is an 
excellent portrait of Mr. Larkin in the old 
Cooper mansion at Monterey. 

CHAPTER IX. 

THE CHANGE FROM SPANISH TO ANGLO- 
AMERICAN. 

imLTHOUGH the actual change of gov- 
|™| ernment in Alta or Upper California 
"^^ dates from the raising of the American 
flag at Monterey, July 7, 1846, by order of 
Commodore Sloat, of the United States frig- 
ate. Savannah, the gradual modification of 
manners and customs, and modes of life, 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



and the slow substitution of the English for 
the Spanish language, began some time be- 
fore that date, and they have been going on 
ever since; indeed, the changes are not yet 
altogether complete. American civilization 
in California has certainly been sensibly and 
probably permanently modified in an infinite 
variety of forms, by the adoption of Spanish 
nomenclature, Spanish ideas and Spanish 
ways of doing things, etc., as Eastern, or 
American, agricultural methods, under the 
four annual seasons of the East, have been 
radically changed here in the West of neces- 
sity under our only two annual seasons, the 
wet and the dry. 

And a further very important change, far- 
reaching in its effects, has been caused by the 
new and in the East, practically unknown use 
of water for irrigation, in many portions of 
this State. It is a fundamental maxim in the 
Eastern States and in England, from whom 
we derive our theories of water and water- 
rights, that the water of running streams 
must not he diminished . it is equally a 
fundamental maxim in dry countries, where 
irrigation is an absolute necessity, that the 
volume of flowing water must he diminished, 
or, in other words, it must be absorbed in the 
thirsty ground. As a matter of fact, the 
Spanish theory of the use of water from 
springs and running streams, and evolved by 
long experience from the actual necessities of 
the case, has come in contact and in conflict 
here in California with the English or ripa- 
rian theory, which is based on entirely differ- 
ent uses of such running streauis, to wit, for 



motive power and navigation. As all our 
lawyers and law-makers are educated under 
the English law, the change or adaptation of 
our legislation to this new use of water or to 
the Spanish theory, is necessarily very slow. 
Nevertheless it must, and eventually will be 
effected; though much wrong, and perhaps 
violence must be suffered, pending the irre- 
pressible conflict between the two theories. 

Prior to the year 1846, English-speaking 
trappers and traders came hither in consid- 
erable numbers by land, where they found 
the sweet Spanish idiom was the vernacular; 
and a few English-speaking sailors landed 
here from the occasional vessels that touched 
on this coast; and, as almost without excep- 
tion, they liked the country, its climate, and 
its people, they married and became fixture, 
or permanent settlers. And thus they in 
turn, as they increased in numbers, came to 
exert not a little influence on the Spanish- 
speaking population, and to predispose it fa- 
vorably toward American ways, and toward 
the American people. That this predisposi- 
tion was a very important factor in facilitat- 
ing the change of governments, no one can 
deny. Of course the marrying, occasionally, 
ofEnglishmen intoinfluential California fami- 
lies, as in the case of Don Juan Eorster, who 
married a Pico, had a tendency to dispose favor- 
ably such families toward the English, and this 
fully and very naturally explains why Governor 
Pico, when he saw that a change of government 
was inevitable, favored the English rather 
than the Americans. But of course Amer- 
ican alliances with native Californian families 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



were much the more numerous, and their in- 
fluence was therefore proportionately greater. 
It is only necessary, in order to appreciate 
how potently and yet how insensibly this in- 
fluence Was exerted, to cite the names of such 
early pioneers as the Temples, Captain Cooper, 
Leese, Robinson, Stearns, Wolfskill, Warner, 
Fitch, Howard, Bidwell, and many others 
who came later, but prior to the change of 
government, all of whom either married into 
native families or established intimate rela- 
tions with influential Californiana. 

The story of the exploits of those who offi- 
cially took part in effectincr the change Fre- 
mont, Sloat, Larkin, Stockton, Kearny, etc., 
and of those who served under them — will 
always have an interest for Californians. To 
have brought about a transfer of allegiance of 
the people of California from the Mexican to 
the United States Government, almost with- 
out the shedding of blood, comparatively 
speaking, was a feat requiring tact and judg- 
ment, especially in view of the long distance 
of the actors from the scene of events trans- 
piring on the other side of the continent, on 
which, to a large extent, their own action must 
necessarily depend; and of the long and tedi- 
ous methods then required to communicate 
information between the Atlantic and Pacific 
coasts. Each acted his part according to his 
best judgment, though at times he was com- 
pelled to act in the dark. 

As Monterey was the capital where events 
centered, an account of what happened here 
would have both a local and a territorial in- 
terest. 



Captain John C. Fremont, an officer of the 
United States Topographical Engineers, in 
charge of sonae sixty men, reached the eastern 
territorial limits of California, via Great Salt 
Lake, on his second expedition to this western 
coast, in the latter part of 1845, and his party 
in two sections camped on Kern and Kings 
rivers. Desiring to obtain supplies for his 
exhausted men and animals, and give them 
rest before proceeding to Oregon, Fremont 
deemed it advisable to obtain permission from 
the authorities for his company to camp in 
the valley of the San Joaquin. He therefore 
Came to Monterey, where he met the Ameri- 
can consul, Thomas O. Larkin, and through 
him obtained the desired permission from the 
prefect, General Castro; Governor Pio Pico 
at Los Angeles was duly advised of Fre- 
mont's request, to the granting of which he 
interposed no objection. 

Of course in the interview between Fre- 
mont and Larkin, the former became thor- 
oughly informed concerning the pecular sta- 
tus of political affairs in California at that 
time; and of course the information thus 
gained influenced his future action, which 
has been sharply criticised by various writers, 
and especially by Professor Royce. Fremont 
may not always have acted wisely; but his in- 
tentions were certainly patriotic. Imbibing 
Senator Benton's advanced, but enlightened 
views, as to the very great importance of 
opening communication with Oregon, and the 
farWestof our own country,then undeveloped, 
and almost unknown; and well knowing that 
in case of war with Mexico, which was liable 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



to break out at any time, England might at- 
tempt to secure the deht due her from Mex- 
ico, by seizing California, whicii our govern- 
ment could never permit; it was very nat- 
ural that he should take a lively interest in 
the course of events in California, and should 
desire to do all in his power to further the 
views, which he knew were held by the ad- 
ministration. Undoubtedly he was stimu- 
lated to take steps, at times, which were in- 
discreet, by mingling freely with the Amer- 
ican settlers (who also ardently desired to see 
California become an American territory;) as 
for example, in the cases of the " Bear Flag " 
and other episodes. The native Calif ornians 
had twice initiated movements looking to- 
ward independence. If war broke out, of 
course, as a mere war measure, California 
would be seized by United States naval forces 
in Pacific waters. Although Fremont was 
engaged in a purely scientific exploring expe- 
dition, it was natural and right and patriotic, 
that he, being on the ground, should take an 
interest in the important events which were 
then transpiring here. That his instincts 
were right, in assuming as he did, that the 
administration at Washington would expect 
him, in case of war, to assist the navy and 
and such land forces as might be sent here, 
in forestalling the English in the seizure of 
California, is shown by the fact that orders 
to that effect were not long afterward re- 
ceived by him. 

That Fremont and Sloat, and others some- 
times erred in judgment, for reasons already 
suggested, is not at all strange. 



With this proviso, it is but just to say, 
because it is the simple truth, that all those 
oflicials who took part in the conquest of 
California, aimed to do their duty to the 
best of their ability, with the light they pos- 
sessed; and that they deserved and received 
therefor the communication of the American 
Government and people. 

It is vastly easy for the student in his 
closet to criticise the daring explorer who, 
thousands of miles away from home and 
from his base of supplies, must constantly 
encounter new and unexpected exigencies, 
involving, as they sometimes do, the success 
of his expedition, and not infrequently the 
very existence of the party under him. Only 
a carper and a prig would pretend that an 
academician or finnicky doctrinaire, in his 
seclusion, is better able to decide what should 
be donein a given emergency, full of complica- 
tions, in a distant part of the world, than the 
man of action who is on the ground, and 
knows intimately and practically all the com- 
plex circumstances of the situation. 

As Fremont's company moved about the 
country rather freely. General Castro became 
uneasy, and on the 7th of March, 1846, dis- 
patched a note to him, reciting that he and 
his party, contrary to law, had entei-ed 
the settled portions of the Territory, and 
notifying him that he must immediately re- 
tire beyond the limits thereof, threatening to 
expel him if he did not at once obey his 
order. On receiving this rather brusque 
notice to get out of the country, Fremont 
fortified himself on the Gabilan mountain^ 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



probably in order to save liis party from be- 
ing overwhelmed by a force superior in 
numbers to bis own, which Castro bad hastily 
gotten together. Fremont, in answer to a note 
from Larkin, insisted that he had in no wise 
done wrong to the people or the authorities. 
He undoubtedly intended, after the receipt 
of this note, to move on northwardly, but he 
evidently did not propose to be incontinently 
driven out, and thus run the risk of being 
attacked on the road, where he would be at a 
disadvantage; if compelled to protect himself 
and party from assault, he would do so in a 
position which could be defended. On the 
10th of March, Fremont, finding there was 
no prospect of immediate attack, withdrew 
his company into the San Joaquin valley, 
and from there proceeded on his way to 
Oregon. 

Fremont's own account of this affair is 
given briefly in a letter to his wife: " About 
the middle of next month, at latest, I will 
start for home. The Spaniards were some- 
what rude and inhospitable below, and 
ordered us out of the country, after having 
given me permission to winter there. My 
sense of duty did not permit me to fight 
them, but we retired slowly and growlingly, 
before a force of three or four hundred men, 
and three pieces of artillery. Without a 
shadow of a cause, the govei-nor suddenly 
raised the whole country against us, issuing 
a false and scandalous proclamation. Of 
course I did not dare to compromise the 
United States, against which appearances 
would have lieen strong; but though it was 



in my power to increase my party by many 
Americans, I refrained from committing a 
solitary act of hostility or impropriety." 

This is certainly coherent and altogether 
reasonable, if we take the view, which seems 
to be the true one, that Fremont's course 
was wholly defensive, and that it was only 
adopted after the sudden change of policy of 
Castro. In the permission given him to en- 
camp and recuperate his party in the country, 
there may have been some misunderstanding 
as to bow much that permission implied. 
Ferhaps Fremont interpreted it too freely, 
and that the subsequent movements of his 
party alarmed the Californians, causing Cas- 
tro to suddenly change his attitude toward 
Fremont, thus giving his acts the appear- 
ance of being, as the latter expressed it, 
''rude and inhospitable." Being called upon 
to defend bis party — that was one of the 
imperative functions imposed on him by his 
position as the responsible leader of the ex- 
pedition from the time he left the Missouri 
till his return thither — Fremont promptly 
placed his men where they could defend 
themselves against all comers, on the summit 
of Gabilan peak, where they hastily fortified 
themselves, and raised the stars and stripes. 
All this was done strictly in the line of self- 
defense and self-preservation, and not at all 
in the line of aggression, or as indicating in- 
tent to raise the standard of revolution, 
which would have been absurd. If these acts 
implied apparent defiance of the Califor- 
nians, it was clearly defiance of the defensive 
kind, and not intended to be aggressive in 



50 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



any sense of the word, if interpreted in the 
light of prior and subsequent events. 

In the meantime, changes in the condition 
of affairs, both in the East as well as on this 
coast, were going on. Lieutenant Gillespie 
arrived at Monterey, April 17, on the United 
States vessel Cyane, bringing instructions 
from Wasbington to Consul Larkin and 
Captain Fremont, which modified their sub- 
sequent action, somewhat. Matters here 
were rapidly approaching a crisis. Even as 
early as March 27, a meeting of leading citi- 
zens, with the military junta, was held at Lar- 
kin's house, to consider the situation, in which 
the several propositions were discussed, of 
independence, annexation to the United States, 
to England or to France, by Castro, Vailejo, 
Prudon, Hartnell, and others. From this 
it was evident that the partisans of all these 
schemes already believed that a political 
change of some kind was certain to come 
very soon. This belief, more or less clearly 
defined, extended throughout the Territory; 
but it was probably more actively discussed 
at Monterey than at any other locality. All 
through the various phases of events leading 



to this change, Consul Larkin acted with 
great efficiency and skill. 

CHAPTER X. 

RAISING OF AMEEICAN FLAG AT MONTEREY. 

fOMMODORE Sloat, of the Pacific 
squadron, on his flag-ship. Savannah, 
fifty-four guns, arrived at Monterey, 
July 1, 1846, from Mazatlan. There were 
in port, on his arrival, the Cayne, Captain Mer- 
vine, and the Levant, Captain Page, twenty- 
four guns each. Several days passed before 
Sloatd ecided to take possession of the town, and 
to order Captain Montgomery of the Ports- 
mouth, then at San Francisco, or Yerba 
Bueua, as it was more generally known, to 
raise the American flag at that point. 

On July 7, however, having completed all 
his arrangements for the important step, he 
sent Captain Mervine ashore with a force of 
250 men, who hoisted the stars and stripes over 
the custom house, which was saluted with 
three cheers by the marines and spectators, 
and by twenty-one guns from each of the 
three United States vessels of war in the 
harbor.* A proclamation in both Spanish 



*Mr. Thomas Bralee (a sketch of whose life appears 
elsewhere), who was one ot the actors in the raising 
of the American flag at Monterey, in 1846, gives some 
interesting details, not heretofore published, concern- 
ing that important event. Mr. Bralee served on the 
Savannah, a sixty-four gun, double bank, frigate, the 
flag-ship of Commodore Sloat. He says the American 
frigate sailed out of Mazatlan several times, and Ad- 
miral Seymour of the Collingwood would follow them 
to learn in which direction the Savannah would head. 
But every time she would return to port, and back 
again would come the British admiral. Once, on the oc- 
casion of a court martial having tried and found guilty 
a young sailor, who had struck an officer, the penalty 



of which was death, the Savannah put to sea to carry 
out the sentence of hanging at the yard-arm, which 
was not permissible in a foreign port, under inter- 
national law. The poor boy was pardoned by Com- 
modore Sloat. But the incident served as a pretext to 
put to sea. The Admiral got tired of following the 
movements of the Commodore. Meanwhile, on the 
arrival of Gillespie, with later news from Washington 
Sloat set sail in earnest for Monterey, where he arrived 
July 1, having entirely eluded the Briton, who sup- 
posed the sallying forth this time, as before, was only 
a feint. 

On July 3, some of the men from the Savannah were 
allowed to go ashore at Monterey. But on July 4, 




Oli Government Cuartel, Monterey 




Old Custom House, Monterey. 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



and English, addressed "to the inhabitants of 
California," was posted in various public 
places; the necessary steps for the preservation 
of order were taken ; and information of what 
had been done was sent to Montgomery, 
Fremont, Castro, Stearns and others. 

At San Francisco Montgomery raised the 
American Standard two days later, without 
opposition, and on the same day Lieutenant 
Kevere performed the same act at Sonoma. 
Thus was the change of government in cen- 
tral California effected quietly, as an event 
that was expected by all, and gladly welcomed 
by many. 

On the 15th of July, Commodore R. F. 
Stockton arrrived on the Congress from Nor- 
folk, via Honolulu. On the 16th, nine days 
after the raising of the American Hag by 
Sloat, Admiral Sir Geo. F. Seymour, on the 
English man-of-war, Collingwood, arrived at 
Monterey from Mazatlan. Whatever views 
Seymour, as commander of the British squad- 
ron in the Pacilic ocean, may have enter- 
tained concerning the desirability or feasibility 
of establishing a British protectorate over 



they were not allowed ashore, as they were liable to 
get too merry on our Nation's birthday, and thereby 
make trouble. Neither on the 5th were they allowed 
to go ashore, and the men began to grumble. But on 
the 6th matters were made clear to them. The dec- 
laration of war with Mexico was read and 
active arrangements were made to them to go ashore 
the next morning. About 400 men, Mr. Bralee thinks 
(or one-half the force of the Savannah and the sloops 
of war, Cyane, Captain Mervine, and Levant, Captain 
Page), disembarked on the morning of July 7, and 
marched, under command of Captain Mervine, up to 
the custom house in the center of town to demand the 
surrender of the place, and detachments of the United 
States forces then took possession of the cuartel and 
other points in the town. Of course the inhabitants 



California; and whatever may have been the 
wishes and hopes of resident partisans of any 
•each scheme, all now saw that the time had 
passed in which it was possible of realization. 
At any rate, Seymour remained only a week 
in port, and then left for the Sandwich Is- 
land. 

On the 23d of July, Commodore Sloat 
turned over the conamand of the United States 
land forces in the conquered Territory to his 
successor, Commodore Stockton, who, on the 
29th, assumed command of the naval squadron , 
and Commodore Sloat sailed for home on the 
Levant. 

After having appointed Walter Colton, 
who had been a navy chaplain, as alcalde, 
Stockton, in the Congress, with 360 marines 
and seamen, on the 1st of August, set out for 
San Pedro, to complete the conquest of the 
Territory in the south, the Cyane, with Fre- 
mont's battalion having sailed for San Diego 
two or three days before. The Savannah, 
Captain Mervine, remained at Monterey, 
whither Stockton returned in September. 

Alcalde Colton and Robert Semple pub- 



recognized that they could not successfully defend the 
place against the gun United States men of war, and 
their well armed, formidable crews, and therefore no 
attempt was made to do so. It is customary for a con- 
queror, in taking possession of country or port, to go 
through the formality of lowering the tlig of the con- 
quered before raising his own. But the Mexican flag 
had been removed, which caused some delay in the 
proceedings, while messengers were sent aboard the 
frigate to bring a Mexican flag. This was raised to 
the top of the tiag-staff. Whereupon it was duly 
lowered, and the United States flag was elevated in 
place of it. Three cheers were given by the seamen 
and spectators, and a salute of twenty-one guns was 
fired by the men-of-war. 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



lisbed the first newspaper in California, at 
Monterey, from August 15, 1846, till May 
1847, when it was moved to San Francisco. 
The old press and Spanish type, which they 
used, they found in the government house, 
where they had been stored since the time of 
Governor Figueroa. As there is no letter w 
in the Spanish alphabet, the printers, in set- 
ting up matter for the English portion of this 
pioneer weekly journal of western civilization, 
which was called The Californian, were com- 
pelled to use two v's, thus, vv for w. 

The following is Colton's own account of 
this journalistic enterprise, as recorded in his 
diary of Saturday, August 15, 1846: "To-day 
the first newspaper ever published in Califor- 
nia made its appearance. The honor, if such 
it be, of writing its prospectus fell to me. It 
is to be issued on every Saturday, and is 
published by Semple & Colton. Little did I 
think when I relinquished the editorship of 
the North American in Philadelphia, that 
my next feat in this line would be off 
here in California. My partner is an immi- 
grant from Kentucky, who stands six feet 
eight, in his stockings. He is in a buckskin 
dress, a fox-skin cap; is true with his rifle, 
ready with his pen, and quick at the type- 
case. 

"He created the materials of our office, out 
of the chaos of a small concern, which had 
been used by a Roman Catholic monk in 
printing a few sectarian tracts. The press 
was old enough to be preserved as a curiosity; 
the mice had bun-owed in the balls; there 
were no rules, no leads, and the types were 



rusty and all in pi. It was only by scouring 
that the letters could be made to show their 
faces. A sheet or two of tin were procured, 
and these, with a jack-knife, were cut into 
rules and leads. Luckily we found with the 
press the greater part of a keg of ink; and 
now came the main scratch for paper. None 
could be found, except what is used to envelop 
the tobacco of the cigar smoked here by the 
nations. A coaster (vessel) had a small sup- 
ply of this on board, which we procured. It 
is in sheets a little larger than the common- 
sized foolscap. And this is the size of our 
first paper, which we have christened The 
California. Though small in dimensions, our 
first number is as full of news as a black- 
walnut is of meat. We have received by 
couriers during the week intelligence from 
all the military posts throughout the Terri- 
tory. Very little of this has transpired; it 
reaches the public for the first time through 
our sheet. We have also the declaration of 
war between the United States and Mexico, 
with an abstract of the debate in the Senate. 
A crowd was waiting when the first sheet 
was thrown from the press. It produced 
quite a little sensation. Never was a bank 
run upon harder; not, however, by people 
with paper to get specie, but exactly the re- 
verse. One-half of the paper is in English, 
the other in Spanish. The subscription for 
a year is $5.00; the price of a single sheet is 
12^ cents, and is considered cheap at that." 

Colton, in his book, "Three Years in Cali- 
fornia," gives some detached but exceedingly 
graphic pictures of the California of nearly 



MONTEliET 00UNT7. 



half a century ago, which lose nothing of their 
interest by contrast with the California of 
to-day. Thus, all old timers will recognize 
the following: " A Californian is most at home 
in his saddle; there he has some claims to 
originality, if not in character, then in cos- 
tume. His hat, with its conical crown and 
broad rim, throws back the sun's rays from 
its dark, glazed surface. It is fastened on by 
a band which passes under his chin, and rests 
on a red handkerchief, which turbans his 
head, from beneath which his black locks 
flow out upon the wind. 

"The collar of his linen rolls over that of 
his blue spencer, which is open under the 
chin, is fitted closely to his waist, and often 
ornamented with double rows of buttons and 
silk braid. His trousers, which are fastened 
around his loins by a red sash, are open to 
the knee, to which his buckskin leggins 
ascend over his white cotton drawers. His 
buckskin shoes are armed with heavy spurs, 
which have a shaft some ten inches long, at 
the end of which is a roller, which bristles 
out into six points, three inches long, against 
which steel plates rattle with a quick, sharp 
sound. 

"His feet rest in stirrups of wood carved 
from the solid oak, and extremely strong and 
heavy. His saddle rises high, fore and aft, 
and is broadly skirted with leather, which is 
stamped into figures, through the interstices 
of which red and green silk flash out with 
gay effect. The reins of his bridle are thick 
and narrow, and the headstall is profusely 
ornamented with silver plate. His horse, 



with his long flowing mane, arching neck, 
broad chest, full flanks, and slender legs, is 
full of Are. He seldom trots, and will gallop 
all day, without seeming to be weary. On his 
back is the Californian's home. Leave him 
this home, and you may have the rest of the 
world." 

The main vehicle for transportation in use 
by Californians in early times was the ox-cart, 
or careta, of solid wooden wheels, already 
mentioned. Concerning this unique institu- 
tion so serviceable in the primitive pastoral 
period, when no other kind of carriage was 
attainable, and which has continued in use 
on some of the interior ranches, even to the 
present day, Colton thus writes: "On gala 
days it is swept out and covered with mats; 
a deep body is put on, which is arched with 
hoop poles, and over these a pair of sheets are 
extended for a covering. Into this the ladies 
are tumbled, when three or four yoke of 
oxen, with as many Indian drivers and ten 
times as many dogs, start ahead. The hal- 
looing of the drivers, the barking of the dogs, 
and the loud laughter of the girls, make a 
a common chorus. The quail takes to the 
covert as the roaring establishment comes on, 
and even the owl suspends his melancholy 
note. What has his sad tone to do amid such 
noise and mirth? It is like the piping cry of 
an infant amid the revelry and tumult of the 
carnival." 

" The wild Indians here (says Colton) have 
a vague belief in the soul's immortality. 
They say, 'As the moon dieth and cometh to 
life again, so man, though he die, will again 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



live.' But their future state is material; the 
wicked are to be bitten by serpents, scorched 
by lightning and plunged down cataracts, 
while the good are to hunt their game with 
bows that never lose their vigor, with arrows 
that never miss their aim, and in forests 
where the crystal streams roll over golden 
sands. Immortal youth is to be the portion 
of each, and age and pain and death are to 
1)6 known no more." This is more like the 
idealized dream of the white man of civiliza- 
tion tlian the creed of the ignorant aborigine 
of California. 

Under date of September 14, 1846, Colton 
makes this note of the advance guard of 
overland immigration: "A letter from the 
Sacramento received to-day informs me of 
the arrival of 2,000 immigrants from the 
United States. They are under the guidance 
of experienced men, and have been but a lit- 
tle over four mouths on the way." 

The California of the period of which Col- 
ton writes was almost exclusively a pastoral 
country; and the interior was occupied by 
many thousands of Indians, a portion of 
whom had been partly Christianized by the 
missionaries, who had labored zealously, but 
with indifferent success, three-quarters of a 
century, in an almost hopeless attempt to 
make good Christians and good citizens of 
Indians, who, by nature were incapable of 
any high degree of moral, intellectual, or so- 
cial development. Besides these so-called 
mission Indians, which came to be known by 
the name of the mission with which they had 
been connected, as " Migueleiios," " Barbar- 



enous," " Diegueiios," etc., there were many 
wild or " unconverted " or gentile Indians 
throughout the interior of California. 

But all the Indians, whether quasi-Ghris- 
tianized or not, were distinguished from Mex- 
icans or from people of European descent, by 
being called, not altogether inaptly, hestias 
or ffente sin razoii, i.e., " beasts, or people 
without reason;" for their reasoning powers, 
or capacity for mental development seemed 
to have been extremely limited. 

Very probably, the fact that it was an 
impossibility to make full-fledged citizens of 
the Indians of California, influenced the 
Mexican Government to secularize the mis- 
sions and grant the lauds, which they had 
claimed, to gente de razon, — settlers who 
were capable of citizenship, and of self-gov- 
ernment. The liberal policy, adopted a dozen 
years before the ti-ansfer of the Territory to 
the United States, of granting land to actual 
settlers was a wise one; and under it Cali- 
fornia increased in population and prosperity. 
As the missionaries had demonstrated, she 
was especially adapted to pastoral pursuits. 
And, although they showed that her fertile 
valleys were also fitted for horticulture and 
agriculture, it was better that her territory 
should be divided up into many ranches 
managed by their owners, even if devoted to 
stock-raising, than that it should be under 
the sway of a comparatively few friars, who, 
though they controlled vast numbers of In- 
dian laborers, could never, with such material, 
as the result showed, build a State or a real 
commonwealth, with all that that term im- 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



plied. And, as in a civic sense, the era of 
ranches, or of actual settlers on large farms, 
was an advance on the mission regime, so the 
later division of the big ranches into small 
holdings, and the substitution of diversified 
industries for the single occupation of stock- 
raising, are another and a longer step in the 
process of State evolution. 

In 1846, when Colton was appointed al- 
calde of Monterey by Commodore Stockton, 
California's beautiful and luxuriant valleys 
were all unfenced and unoccupied, save by 
scattered rancheros and their countless herds 
of cattle, horses or sheep; now they are very 
generally cultivated in grain or fruit, and not 
infrequently fenced; then the roads were 
few and the only modes of locomotion were 
on horseback or on foot, except that caretas, 
with solid wooden wheels, hauled by oxen 
with yokes strapped to their horns with raw- 
hide thongs, were used by the rancheros to 
convey their families from ranch to ranch, or 
from ranch to town, or to church on Sundays, 
or (lias de fiesta. Now the principal valleys 
of the State are traversed by railroads and 
cities are gridironed by street-car lines. Thus 
Commodore Sloat was compelled, in return- 
ing to the Atlantic States, to sail around 
Cape Horn, a distance of 15,000 miles; and 
Lieutenant Gillespie found the quickest and 
safest route by which he could bring dis- 
patches from Washington to Consul Larkin 
and to the military and naval commanders on 
this coast, was by way of Yera Cruz and 
across Mexico to Mazatlan, and from thence 
by a United States sloop-of-war to Monterey; 



while Fremont, with an armed mounted force 
had been sent out by Government to explore 
or find a path across the continent on our 
own territory. Now a courier can travel 
from ocean to ocean in palace cars by one of 
several continental routes in five or six days. 

On entering upon his duties as alcade of 
Monterey, Colton records that when he went 
ashore from the flag-ship, the Congress, he 
was hospitably received at the house of Con- 
sul Larkin. " This," he adds, " is the more 
appreciated from the fact that there is not a 
public table or iiotel, in all California. High 
or low, rich or poor, are thrown together on 
the private liberality of the citizens. Though 
a quasi war exists, all the amenities and 
courtesies of life are preserved; your person, 
life and liberty are as sacred at the hearth of 
the Californian as they would beat your own 
fireside." 

All Americans who lived in California in 
the early times will bear witness to the 
truthfulness of this picture. He further says: 
" My jurisdiction (as alcalde) extends over 
an immense extent of territory, and over a 
most heterogeneous population. Almost every 
nation has, in some emigrant, a representative 
here — a representative of its peculiar habits, 
virtues and vices. And then he gives a list, 
which includes with their characteristics, the 
Californian, the Indian, the trapper of the 
West, the Mexican, Spaniard, Englishman, 
Frenchman, German, Irishman, Russian and 
Mormon. " All have come here with the 
expectation of finding but little work, and 
less law. Through this discordant mass, he 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



exclaims: " 1 am to maintain order, punish 
crime and redress injuries." 

He gives a few prices current thus: " Un- 
bleached cottons, fifty cents the yard; shirt- 
ings, seventy-five; plain knives and foriis, 
$10 the dozen ; the cheapest tea, $3 the pound. 
The duty on a cheap straw hat is $3." 

Of the bigness of the ranches in those days, 
when land was not of much value, he says: 
" It sounds strange to an American, and 
much more to an Englishman, to hear Cali- 
fornians talk of farms. They never speak of 
acres or even miles; they deal only in leagues. 
A farm of four or five leagues is considered 
quite small. Et is not so large, in the con- 
ception of this people, as was the one-acre 
farm of Horace in the estimation of the Ro- 
mans. Captain Sutter's farm in the valley 
of the Sacramento is sixty miles long. The 
Californians speak in the same way of the 
stock on their farms;" a thrifty ranchero 
having 2,000 horses, or 15,000 cattle, etc. 
Some families bad from fourteen to twenty 
odd children. 

Colton's journal, August 12, 1846, records 
the arrival at Monterey, thirty days from 
Mazatlan, of the United States ship Warren, 
bringing the exciting news that war had been 
declared between the United States and Mex- 
ico, which he says " produced a profound 
sensation." " It was an extinguisher on the 
hopes of those who had looked to Mexico 
for aid, or who had clung to the expecta- 
tion that the American Government would 
repudiate our possession of California and 
order the squadron withdrawn." 



October 1, the French man-of-war Brill- 
ante arrived, bringing J. A. Morenhout as 
French Consul to Monterey. Afterward M. 
Morehout became vice-consul at Los Angeles, 
where he resided many years and where he 
died in July, 1879. 

As war between the United States and 
Mexico was now being waged vigorously. 
Commodore Stockton determined to raise as 
large a force as possible, and go south and 
take a hand in the fight, on the west coast of 
Mexico. But the unsettled state of affairs in 
California prevented him from carrying out 
his intentions. Although the better class of 
Californians as a rule did not countenance 
these uprisings, and took no part in them, 
the disturbances caused considerable trouble 
to the new officials. They were mostly fo- 
mented by restless, dissatisfied and irrespon- 
sible persons, to whom the new rule was dis- 
tasteful. 

Fremont, with his headquarters at Mon- 
terey, was very active in raising recruits, and 
in securing horses for his battalion, which 
afterward became somewhat famous. There 
are still many old-timers, both in central and 
southern California, who remember well the 
exploits and marches of Fremont's battalion: 
and quite a number of its members are still 
living in 1892. 

The battalion numbered over 400 men, 
mostly frontiersmen and expert marksmen, 
and was really a formidable military force. 

September 4, 1846, the first jury trial 
under the new regime took place, at Mon- 
terey. The plaintiff, Isaac Graham, an 



MONTEREY COUNT T. 



57 



Englishman, charged Carlos Roussillon, a 
Frenchman, with stealng lumber. One-third 
each of the jury were respectively, Ameri- 
cans, Mexicans and Californians, and the wit- 
nesses represented about all the languages 
known in California. Hartnell, the linguist, 
acted as an interpreter; there were no law- 
yers. The trial lasted all day, the jury de- 
liberated an hour, acquitted the defendant 
of intentional theft, but ordered him to pay 
for the lumber, and decreed that the plaintiff 
should pay the costs of court. 

On the night of November 15, Consul 
Larkin, while on his way from Monterey to 
San Francisco, was captured at Gomez' 
ranche, by a squad of Castro's men, the object 
being, apparently, to hold him as a hostage 
to be exchanged for certain Californians who 
had broken their parole. Larkin was well 
treated, however. Later, he was sent south 
and turned over tu Flores, at Los Angeles, 
where he was finally released, January 9, 
'47, just before Stockton's occupation of Los 
Angeles; and he arrived back in Monterey 
early in the next month. Larkin witnessed, 
as a prisoner, the desperate fight between the 
Californians and Americans, at Natividad, 
where the former were dispersed. On the 
17th of November, Fremont with his force 
set out from Monterey in search of Castro's 
men, but did not find them. At San Juan 
he completed the organization of his battalion 
for service in the south. 

January 22, 1847, Commodore Shubrick, 
on the Lidependence, arrived at Monterey, to 
take command of the United States Naval 



forces on the Pacific coast; and a few days 
later came Captain Tompkins, with a com- 
pany of artillery, on the Lexington; and Feb- 
ruary 8, General Kearny, came up from San 
Diego, on the Cyane. 

Commodore Stockton, January 16, had 
appointed Fremont as Governor, Kussell as 
Secretary of State, and a number of citizens 
as a Legislative Council; but this latter 
body never met, as some of its members de- 
clined to serve. 

Referring to the conflict of authority which 
had arisen, between Stockton and Fremont 
on the one hand, and Shubrick and Kearny 
on the other, and to the difficulty of obtain- 
ing funds in the department for current ex- 
penses. Lieutenant Colonel Cook, under date 
of March 12, at Sau Luis Rey, wittily wrote: 
" General Kearny is supreme, somewhere up 
tlie coast; Colonel Fremont is supreme at 
Pueblo de los Angeles; Commodore Stockton 
is commander-in-chief at San Diego; Com- 
modore Shubrick the same at Monterey; and 
I at San Luis Rey; and we are all supremely 
poor, the Government having no money, and 
no credit; and we hold the territory because 
Mexico is poorest of all." On February 23, 
1847, Colonel R. B. Mason, of the dragoons, 
and Lieutenant Watson, of the navy, arrived 
at Monterey, bringing later orders from 
Washington, directing that Kearny, and, in 
his absence, Mason, should be recognized as 
civil and military governor; and that to the 
commander of the naval forces should be 
committed the regulation of the import 
trade, and of the conditions on which ves- 



58 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



sels should be allowed to enter the porta of 
the Territory, etc. ; and a joint notice or cir- 
cular was published fixing Monterey as the 
capital on the first of March, 1847. A 
separate proclamation by General Kearny, as 
governor, in English and Spanish, at the 
same date, addressed to the people of Cali- 
fornia, was published. 

On the 31st of May, General Kearny and 
escort, and Fremont, with nineteen members 
of his original exploring party, and others, 
left Montery for the East, overland, arriving 
at Fort Leavenworth on the 22d day of Au- 
gust. A month or two later, Commodore 
Stockton and party also left for the East, ar- 
riving at St. Joseph in November, and at 
"Washington about December 1st. 

Colonel R. B. Mason, on the departure of 
Kearny, became his successor as military 
governor. January 28, 1847, the United 
States vessel Lexington brought to Monterey 
Company F of the Third Artillery, and also 
guns and military supplies. Among its offi- 
cers were names which have since become 
famous. Its lieutenants were E. O. C. Ord 
and William T. Sherman, and H. W. Hal- 
leck, the latter of the engineer corps. Its 
captain, H. S. Burton, was temporarily at- 
tached to General Stevenson's regiment, but 
on the mustering out of the latter in Califor- 
nia, at the close of the war in 1848, he re- 
turned to his own command. This company 
did garrison duty at Monterey for some time. 
Lieutenant (afterward General) Sherman 
acted as assistant adjutant-general under 
Governor Mason. 



There may be yet living citizens who re- 
member pleasantly the presence, forty-live 
years ago, in Monterey, of this artillery com- 
pany, with its genial officers. While they 
were stationed here, gold was discovered, 
turning things upside down in California, 
and electrifying the world. 

CHAPTER XL 

DISCOVEEY OF GOLD. 

ITN an address in New York, April 6, 1892, 
fJH Senator John Sherman gave extracts from 
'^ the following letter from his brother, 
Lieutenant W. T. Sherman, which gives an 
interesting and characteristic picture of the 
Monterey of that period. It is dated — 

" Monterey, August 24, 1848. 
"Gold in immense quantities has been dis- 
covered. All the town and farms are aban- 
doned, and nobody left on the coast but 
soldiers, and now that the New York Volun- 
teers are disbanded, there remain in service 
but two companies. Our men are all desert- 
ing, as they can earn, by so doing, in one 
day, more than a soldier's pay for a month. 
Everything is high in price, beyond our 
reach, and not a nigger in California but 
what gets more pay than we officers do. Of 
course, we are running into debt, merely to 
live. I have not been so hard up in my life, 
and really see no chance of extricating myself. 
All others here in the service of the United 
States are as badly ofE. Even Colonel Mason 
himself has been compelled to assist in cook- 
ing his own meals. Merchants are making 
fortunes, for gold : such as I sent you can be 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



59 



bought at $8 or $10 an ounce, and goods 
command prices thirty times higher than in 
New York. * * * This gold is found 
in the beds of streams, in dry quarries, in 
fact, mingled with the earth, over a large 
extent of country, and the whole cannot be 
extracted in centuries. I have not the least 
doubt that 15,000,000 or $6,000,000 have al- 
ready been extracted, and men are getting 
from their individual labor froin $5,000 to 
$8,000 a month! This is not fiction. It is 
the truth. I went with Governor Mason and 
saw the evidences of it myself." 

EFFECTS OF THE GREAT GOLD DISCOVERIES. 

Of course the discovery of gold (in Janu- 
ary, 1848) disturbed the quiet course of 
events at Monterey, as it did in every other 
community in California. Bancroft says 
(Vol. VI., p. 63), " At the capital, a letter 
from Larkin gave the impulse, and al)out the 
same time, upon the statement of Swan, four 
Mormons called at Monterey, en route for 
Los Angeles, who were reported to carry 100 
pounds avoirdupois of gold gathered in lees 
than a month at Mormon Island. This was 
in June. A fortnight after, the town was 
depopulated, 1,000 starting from that vicinity 
within a week!" 

Governor Mason tried to check desertion 
of the military forces under his command, 
but practically gave up the attempt. Gen- 
eral Sherman, in his memoirs (I., 46) says: 
" I of course could not escape the infection, 
and ^t l^st convinced Colonel Mason that it 
was our duty to go up and see with our own 



eyes, that we might report the truth to our 
Government." Mason's official report of 
August 17, to the adjutant-general at Wash- 
ington, which carried great weight in con- 
vincing people in the East, because of its 
official character, of the richness of the mines, 
was based largely on what he saw during this 
trip. 

RADICAL ECONOMIC CHANGES. 

The radical economic changes wrought 
throughout California by the discovery near 
by, and the production, in such enormous 
volume, of that commodity by which the 
value of all other commodities was measured, 
could be but imperfectly understood abroad. 
The sudden and violent changes in the value 
of all property, caused by the sudden abun- 
dance and consequent cheapening of gold, 
upset, financially, many people, sometimes in 
the most unexpected manner. That many, 
and often those who were most reckless, were 
made rich; and that many, and not infre- 
quently those who were the most careful, 
were made poor, were facts of common occur- 
rence, which should not cause surprise. 

People living in old communities, where 
values have acquired stability, often criticise 
the judgment of those who, in a new placer- 
mining country, are overwhelmed or bank- 
rupted, or who have not made the fortunes 
they might have made; when these same 
smug critics, if placed in simjlg-r positions, 
would very likely have met a similar fate. 
The world's material values are seldom dis- 
turbed by the discovery of placer or surface 
mines of gold, so enormously rich as those 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



found in California and Australia about the 
middle of the present century, and which 
added to the world's stock of gold in twenty- 
five years an amount equal to that already 
in the hands of man, or more than three 
thousand million dollars. 

Consul Larkin sent from Monterey, June 
1, 1848, the first oflicial account of the dis- 
coveries of gold in California; and a month 
later he and Commodore Jones sent letters 
by Lieutenant E. F. Beale, to Secretary of 
State Buchanan, giving further information 
about the wonderful richness and extent of 
the placers; all of which set the people of 
the East, and of the world, aflame with ex- 
citement, causing a movement from all parts 
of the world toward the new El Dorado 
equaled only in magnitude by the crusades 
of the middle ages. 

News of the ratification of a treaty of 
peace between the United States and Mexico 
was received in California, August 8, 1848, 
and was duly celebrated by the people on the 
11th of the same month. 

General Persifer F. Smith arrived at San 
Francisco, and suspended or superseded Colo- 
nel Mason as military commander of Califor- 
nia, February 26, 1849. The latter returned 
east, and died the same year at St. Louis, 
aged about sixty years. 

April 12, Lieutenant-Colonel Bennett Riley 
of the Second United States Infantry, arrived 
at Monterey on the Iowa, with his brigade, 
numbering about 650 men. He brought 
orders from the Secretary of War to take 



charge of the administration of civil affairs 
in California. 

The situation of California at this time, as 
Bancroft well says (VI., 276), was not like 
"that of Oregon, which was without laws 
until a provisional government was formed; 
but was nearly identical with that of Louisi- 
ana, whose laws were recognized as valid 
until constitutionally repealed." The laws 
of Mexico were in force in California at the 
time of the conquest by the United States, 
and theoretically should remain in force until 
abolished or replaced by new ones enacted 
under United States authority, — unless, in- 
deed, the country should be governed wholly 
by military rule, which would not have long 
been tolerated by the people. 

Of course after the conquest of California, 
and until a new civil government was estab- 
lished, there were many irregularities and 
anomalies in the administration of the affairs 
of the conquered Territory. Alcaldes, whether 
appointed by the military or naval commander, 
or elected by the people, continued, as under 
the Mexican system, to be very important 
ofiicers, each in their several localities. And 
till new laws and new rules were provided 
under the new regime^ naturally these officers, 
even when Americans, continued to perform 
their duties according to Mexican customs, 
modified at times by common sense and their 
own intuitions of natural justice, and in 
doubtful cases the right of appeal to the 
governor was allowed. Their provisional or 
de facto government, partly based on antece- 
dent conditions, and partly evolved from the 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



necessities of the situation, probably answered 
the exigencies of the people nearly as well as 
a regularly established territorial or provis- 
ional government would have done. 

CHAPTER XII. 

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. 

fN the 3d of June, 1849, General Riley, 
who succeeded Governor Mason as mili- 
tary governor of California, in accord- 
ance with instructions from Washington, 
issued his pi'oclamatiou to the people, calling 
on them to elect delegates to a convention to 
meet at Monterey, September 1, to formulate 
a State Constitution, which was deemed an 
urgent necessity, as the provincial govern- 
ment, existing since the conquest of Califor- 
nia by the United States, was, in the nature 
of things, only temporary and transitional in 
its character, and by no means adequate to 
the needs of so incongruous and rapidly 
growing a population as that which now 
occupied the Territory. The discovery of the 
richest and most extensive placer gold fields 
that had hitherto ever been known in any 
age or country, had drawn people here from 
every part of the civilized world, so that the 
population had now become thoroughly cos- 
mopolitan. Spanish or Mexican civilization, 
which had supplanted to a considerable ex- 
tent the savagery or lack of all civilization of 
the Indians, was now in turn overrun, not 
only by "hordes of Yankees," as Governor 
Pio Pico phrased it, but by a flood of immi- 
gration from every nation under the sun. 
Tliis convention, consisting of forty-eight 



members, representing all parts of the Terri- 
tory, and including natives of nearly every 
State in the Union, assembled at the time 
and place designated. As part of the delega- 
tion spoke only the Spanish language, it was 
found necessary to have a translator, and 
William E. P. Hartnell was appointed to 
that position. After six weeks of delibera- 
tion, during which the constitutions of New 
York and Iowa were taken as models, a con- 
stitution was framed, reported and signed, 
October 13, 1849. This constitution was sub- 
mitted to the people for ratification on the 
13th of November following, when 12,064 
votes were polled in favor, 811 against it, 
and 1,200 were set aside on account of in- 
formality. 

The following is a list of the names, na- 
tivity, residence and age, of the members of 
the first constitutional convention of Califor- 
nia, signed in triplicate by each member. Of 
the three original documents containing these 
autographs, one copy went to Dr. Semple, one 
to Consul Larkin, and the third to Milton 
Little, which his widow still has in her pos- 



session: 








NAMES. 


NATIVITY. 


RESIDENCE. AGE. 


John A. Sutter, 


Switzerland, 


Sacramento, 


47 


H. W. Halleck, 


New York, 


Monterey, 


32 


Wm. M. Gwin, 


Tennessee, 


San Francisco, 


44 


Wm. M. Stewart, 


Maryland, 


San Francisco 


49 


Joseph Hoborn, 


Maryland, 


San Francisco, 


39 


Thos. L. Vermeule 


, New Jersey, 


San Joaquin, 


35 


0. M. Wozencraft, 


Ohio, 


San Joaquin, 


34 


B. F. Moore, 


Florida, 


San Joaquin, 


39 


Wm. F. Shannon, 


New York, 


Sacramento. 


27 


W. S. Sherwood, 


New York, 


Sacramento, 


33 


Elam Brown, 


New York, 


San Jos^, 


52 


Joseph Aram, 


New York, 


San Jos6, 


39 


J. D. Hoppe, 


Maryland, 


San Jos6, 


35 


John McDougal, 


Ohio, 


Sutter, 


33 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



Elisha O. Crosby, 
H. K. Dimmick, 
Julian Hanks, 
M. M. McCalver, 
Francis J. Lippitt, 
Kodman Price, 
Thos. O. Larkin, 
Louis Dent, 
Henry Hill, 
Chas. T. Belts, 
Myron Norton, 
James M. Jones, 
Pedro Sainsevine, 
J. M. Covarrubias, 
Antonio M. Pico, 
Jacinto Rodriguez, 
Stephen C. Foster, 
Henry A. Tefft, 
J.M. Hollingsworth, 
Abel Stearns, 
Hugh Reid, 
B. S. Lippincott, 
Joel P. Walker, 
Jacob R. Snyder, 
L. W. Hastings, 
Pablo de la Guerra, 
M. G, Vallejo, 
Jos(? A. Carrillo, 
M. Dominguez, 
Robert Semple, 
Pacificus Ord, 
Edward Gilbert, 
A.J. Ellis, 
M. de Pedrorena, 



New York, 
New York, 
Connecticut, 
Kentucky, 
Rhode Island, 
Massachusetts, 
New York, 
Missouri, 
Virginia, 
Virginia, 
Vermont, 
Kentucky, 
Bordeaux, 
France, 
California, 
California, 
Maine, 
New York, 
Maryland, 
Massachusetts, 
Scotland, 
New York, 
Virginia, 
Pennsylvania, 
Ohio, 
California, 
California, 
California, 
California, 
Kentucky, 
Maryland, 
New York, 
New York, 
Spain, 



Vernon, 34 

San JosC; 34 

San Jose, 39 

Sacramento, 42 
San Francisco, 37 
Monterey, 47 

San Francisco, 36 
Monterey, 26 

Monterey, 33 

Monterey, 40 

San Francisco, 27 
San Joaquin, 25 
San Jose, 26 

Santa Barbara, 41 
San Jose, 40 

Monterey, 36 

Los Angeles, 28 
San LuisObispo 26 
San Joaquin, 25 
Los Angeles, 
San Gabriel, 
San Joaquin, 
Sonoma, 
Sacramento, 
Sacramento, 
Santa Barbara, 
Sonoma, 
Los Angeles, 
Los Angeles, 
Benicia, 
Monterey, 
San Francisco, 27 
San Francisco, 33 
San Diego, 41 



The occupations of the members of the 
convention is given as follows: Fifteen were 
rancheros or farmers, fourteen were lawyers, 
nine were merchants, two printers, and there 
was one engineer of the army, one naval 
officer, one physician, etc. 

In December, 1849, Feter H. Burnett was 
elected governor of California under this 
constitution, and application was made in 
due form for the admission of California into 
the Union, which application, after a long 
and stormy debate in Congress, turning 
mainly on the provision forever prohibiting 



slavery within the State, was finally granted, 
on the 9th of September, 1850. The con- 
stitution formulated in 1849 served as the 
charter of the State for about thirty years. 

The house in which tiiis constitutional 
convention was held, a large two-story stone 
building, called " Colton's Hall," was the 
most pretentious and fitting structure for 
the purpose in California at that time. It 
had been erected by Rev. Walter Colton, 
the alcalde of jy.onterey, with funds raised 
by subscription, by tines imposed in his 
court, and by prison labor; and it still stands 
in a good state of preservation, having been 
used for many years as a public schoolhouse 
and public hall. It is the property of the 
Monterey school district, as is the public 
library founded in 1849. 

Evidently Chaplain Colton was a very use- 
ful citizen at this time, when the services of 
intelligent, full-fledged, reliable citizens were 
in demand. He was first appointed alcalde 
by Stockton, and then, on September 15, 
1846, he was duly elected to the office, by 
the people. The office of alcalde of Mon- 
terey was a very important one. " It in- 
volved jurisdiction," says Colton, " over every 
breach of the peace, every case of crime, 
every business obligation, and every disputed 
land title within a circut of 300 miles. To 
it there was an appeal from the court of 
every other alcalde in this district, but there 
was none from it to any higher tribunal. 
There was not a judge on any bench in the 
United States or England whose power was 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



so absolute as that of the alcalde of Mon- 
terey." 

The following interesting account of the 
convention, and of the experiences of the 
delegation from one of the distant dis- 
tricts of the Territory, and of the difBcnlties 
they encountered in their journey to the 
capital, is here inserted as giving a fair pict- 
ure of the Californian of forty-odd years 
ago. It was written in 1878, by Stephen C. 
Foster, a graduate of Yale College, class of 
1840, who came to California in 1847, with 
Cook's battalion, as interpreter, was afterward 
alcalde and mayor of Los Angeles and a 
member of the delegation from that district 
to the convention. He is still a resident of 
Los Angeles county, being the only surviving 
member of the Los Angeles delegation. A 
similar sketch of the delegates from all the 
other districts to that historic convention, if 
obtainable, would be of exceeding inter- 
est, not only to citizens of Monterey bnt also 
to all the people of the commonwealth, for 
whom they builded so wisely. 

Mr. Foster says: "The war with Mexico 
had ended with the acquisition of California 
and New Mexico, but Congress, instead of 
giving them at once a Territorial govern- 
ment, entered into a tierce fight on the eternal 
slavery question, and the Cabinet took steps 
to force Congress to do something to secure a 
government for the newly acquired Terri- 
tories. How, after a delay of two sessions, 
the whole matter was settled by the famous 
' Omnibus Bill,' the last work of Henry Clay, 
is a matter of history. 



" The writer, who had acted as alcalde of 
Los Angeles from January, 1848, to May, 
1849, had just been relieved by the election 
of an ayuntamiento by the people, when the 
proclamation (of Governor Riley for the 
election of delegates to a constitutional con- 
vention) was received, and at the same time 
came a private letter from H. W. Halleek, 
captain of engineers, United States Army, 
and Secretary of State, urging the paramount 
necessity of southern California being fully 
represented in the convention, as the parallel 
of latitude 36° 30', the Missouri compro- 
mise line of 1820, south of which slavery might 
be established, ran just below Monterey, and 
requesting ine to use my influence to have 
the people hold the election, and saying that 
the United States propeller Edith would be 
sent down to bring up the delegates from 
San Luis Obispo to San Diego. I acted as 
he requested, and saw that due notice was 
given to the different precincts, but so little 
interest was felt that the only election held 
was in Los Angeles, and only forty-eight 
votes were polled and there was but one 
ticket in the field. The discovery of gold 
had deranged everything in California. Va- 
queros and others, who had worked for their 
$15 per month, were off to the mines. I 
knew that everything was at a fabulous price 
at the North, and although I knew that one 
could travel from one end of California to 
the other, and stop at a place among the 
Spanish-speaking population as long as he 
wished. I knew no one in Monterey, and as 
we had no idea where the money was to come 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



from to pay our expenses, I was at first dubi - 
oils about goiug, hardly coasideriug that the 
honor to be acquired, by helping the aJininis- 
tration out of its ditiiculties, would be a fair 
consideration for the money to be paid out of 
my own pocket. Not one of us dreamed that 
our constitution would stand, but supposed 
that it would force Congress to give us a 
Territorial government, to save the country 
from anarchy. The permanent population of 
California did not then exceed 25,000, nearly 
all ignorant of our laws and language. There 
were between one and two hundred thousand 
more, but nine out of every ten had come to 
get what gold they could, and then go home. 
" I then had a consultation with my old 
father-in-law (Don Antonio Maria Lugo) on 
the subject. He said: ' So the Mexicans 
have sold California to the Americans for 
$15,000,000, and thrown us natives into the 
bargain. I don't understand how they could 
sell what they never had, for since the time 
of the king we sent back every governor 



they ever sent here. With the last they sent 
800 soldiers to keep us in order, but we sent 
him with his ragamuffins back too. How- 
ever, you Americans have got the country, 
and must have a government of your own, 
for the laws under which we have lived 
will not suit them. You must go, and 
you can stop with ray sister. Dona Maria 
Antonia, the widow of old Sergeant Vallejo.'" 
" But you must give me a letter to her." 
" A letter,' was the quick reply; ' I can't 
write and she can't read, for we had no 
schools in California when we were young. 
They tell me the Americans will establish 
schools where all can learn. I tell you what 
I'll do: I will make Jos6 loan you ' El 
Quacheno^; the name of a notable horse 
which had been used by Lugo's sons to lasso 
grizzly bears that had attacked their stock 
on their San Bernardino ranche, and which 
besides the brand had the marks of a griz- 
zly's claws.* 'My sister knows the horse. 



*In 1843, the cattle-owners of the district of Los 
Angeles began to complain of Don A. M. Lugo, that 
he owned more stock than his ranchos, San Antonio 
and El Chino could support, and that they were en- 
croaching on their lands. As the old Don had already 
granted to him all the land the law allowed, he pro- 
cured a grant of eight leagues in San Bernardino val- 
ley to be made to his sons, and moved on it a portion 
of his immense herds. The adjoining mountains then 
abounded in grizzly bears, and they at once com- 
menced their depredations on the cattle. To guard 
against them the vnqaeros were seat out every evening 
to drive the stock away from the timber on the creeks 
and the foot of the mountains, into the open plains, and 
soma of them kapt watch all night; during the night 
there was often heard the bellow of some unfortunate 
bullock followed by the rush of his companions. By 
daybreak all haads Were in the saddle, aud bruin 
gorged with his feast, was overtaken before he could 



reach shelter, by some four or five vaqueros, and 
would soon be stretched out with a riata around his 
neck, and each foot, when one of the riders making 
fast his iHata to the horn of his saddle, and trusting to 
the horse to keep it taut, would dismount and with his 
knife dispatch the helpless bear. Three or four were 
sometimes the result of one morning's sport, and sev- 
eral hundred were killed before they were driven 
back into the mountains, and no longer molested the 
cattle. This business required skill and coolness on 
the part of the rider and horse, as the failure of any 
one would lead to fatal accidents. 

Among the most dextrous in this dangerous sport 
was one of old Lugo's sons, and his favorite horse was 
a stout bay, on the brand of Ygnacio Sepulveda, 
nicknamed " El Quacheno, " who was killedjanuary 8, 
18i7, charging the American square at the " Paso 
de Birtolo," on the San Gibriel river. Besides the 
brand the horse was marked with the scars of wounds 



MONTE BET COUNTY. 



65 



for I rode hitn to Monterey three years ago, 
and she knows my son would lend that horse 
to no man in California except his old father. 
" I will tell you how I happend to ride 
to Monterey at my time of life: In 1845, 
when Don Pio Pico became governor, and es- 
tablished the seat of government in Los 
Angeles, as the Mexican Government had 
directed in 1836; but there was no govern- 
ment house, so I made a trade for a house for 
$5,000, for which drafts were given on the 
custom house in Monterey, and like an old 
fool 1 went security for their payment. The 
house and lot occupied the ground from 
Main to Los Angeles streets, and from Com- 
mercial street to the county bank. The 
owner was pushing me for the payment; so I 
had to go to Monterey to see if that hop eful 
grandson of my sister. Governor J. B. Alva- 
rado, then in charge of the custom house 
would pay thejn. I found hiui and Castro 
preparing to come down and deprive Pio 
Pico of the governorship, and they had use 
for all the money they could get; so I had 
my ride of 300 leagues for nothing! Plague 
take them all, with their pronu7icimnenios 
and revolutions, using up my horse and eat- 
ing up my cattle, while my sons, instead of 
taking care of their old father's stock, were 
oif playing soldier! The Americans have 
put a stop to all this, and we will now have 
peace and quiet in the land, as in the good old 
days of the king. When you get to Mon- 

inflicted by a grizzly's claws, caused by the awkward- 
ness of oae of the vaqueros, but he held his ground 
untiiachingly until the monster was secured and dis- 
patched. 



terey, you go to my sister and tell her for me, 
by the memory of our last meeting, to treat 
you as I have ever treated her sons and grand- 
sons, when they visited me. ' 

"The next step I took was to go to Don 
Louis Vignes, old 'Aliso,' as the people 
called him, one of our few moneyed men 
and borrow $100. ' £1 Quacheno.' thehorse 
so-called from ' Quacho ' Sepulveda's brand, 
was good for my transportation, and my 
board and lodging in Monterey, and I was 
now in a position to act as an independent 
delegate from the district of Los Angeles. 

" We had no news of the promised steamer, 
the Edith (she was lost off Point Concep- 
tion): so, on August 20, 1849, Stearns, Do- 
minguez, Carrillo and Foster, natives re- 
spectively of Massachusetts, California and 
Maine, started from Los Angeles together, on 
horseback, for Monterey. Hugo Reid, a 
native of Scotland, was already in Monterey, 
and completed the full delegation. The com- 
mon mode of making long journeys here 
then, was to take four or five horses to each 
rider. The loose horses were driven along, 
and whenever any horse showed signs of fa- 
tigue, a fresh horse was caught, the saddle 
was shifted, and the tired horse turned into 
the band, and the rate of traveling was sixty 
or seventy miles a day. The scarcity of serv- 
ants, caused by the gold fever, was the reason 
that the two Californians and myself started 
each with one horse. Don Abel Stearns, as 
"El Rico" (the rich man) of the delegation, 
took along a vaquero, with six spare horses; 
but since, if he rode California fashion, he 



MONTEREY COUNfY. 



would have to go alone, he concluded to jog 
along with the rest. There were no hotels 
from San Diego to Monterey then, and each 
night we lodged at some private house gratis. 
No greater insult could liave been oiTered to 
a ranchero than to offer to pay for one's ac- 
commodation. 

" On the road from Santa Barbara to Santa 
Ynez, there accompanied us an old soldier, 
named Olvera. He pointed out to us a live- 
oak, beneath which they found the body of 
Don Jose Dolores Sepulveda, the great- 
grandfather of the Misses Lanfranco, of Los 
Angeles, who was killed in 1822, when the 
Indians of the missions La Purisima and 
Santa Ynez revolted. He was coming from 
Monterey to Los Angeles, and ignorant of 
danger, arrived at Santa Ynez the morning of 
the outbreak. He was pursued by some Indian 
vaqueros, and he had no arm except a short 
sword, a useless weapon against the riata in 
the hands of men who could throw it fifty 
feet with the accuracy of a ritle, and his only 
hope of safety was to reach Santa Barbara, 
distant some fifty miles. He succeeded in 
crossing the Santa Ynez mountain, and had 
ridden some seven leagues when the foremost 
vaquero overtook and lassoed him, but before 
the riata could be tightened, he cut it with 
his sword. A second vaquero overtook him, 
and this time dragged him from his horse; 
but he again cut theriata and remounted his 
steed; but the third time his pursuers dragged 
him off, and then sharp knives did the rest; 
and when the soldiers from Santa Barbara, of 
whom Olvera was one, went out to rescue the 



little garrison, besieged in the guard-house 
of Santa Ynez, they found only his naked 
disfigured, corpse. . 

" The sight of the old Mission of Santa 
Ynez recalled to my mind an incident that 
occurred there at the time of the outbreak. 
When the Indians rose, there were two Span- 
ish priests in the mission. One of them fell 
into the hands of the Indians, and was put to 
death, under circumstances of the most atro- 
cious cruelty. The other, a powerful man, 
succeeded in breaking away and escaped to 
the guard-house, where, as in all missions, a 
guard of four soldiers, commanded by a cor- 
poral, were always kept as a sort of police 
force. The Indians were destitute of fire- 
arms, but their overwhelming numbers and 
the showers of arrows they directed against 
the port-holes had demoralized the garrison, 
when the priest took command. It must have 
been a singular scene; the burly friar, with 
shaven crown and sandaled feet, clad in the 
gray gown, girt with the cord of St. Francis, 
wielding carnal weapons, now encouraging 
the little garrison, now shouting defiance to 
the swarming assailants. 

" ' Ho! Father,' cried a young Indian aco- 
lyte, ' is that the way to say mass?' 

"'Yes! I am saying mass, my son; here 
(holding up his cartridge box) is the chalice; 
here (holding up his carbine) is the crucifix, 
and here goes my benediction to you, you 

,' using one of the foulest epithets the 

Spanish language could supply, as he leveled 
his carbine and laid the scoffer low. 

" There was a large force collected from the 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



67 



different towns, the Indian converts were fol- 
lowed into the Tulare valley and captured, 
the ringleaders shot, and the others brought 
back to their missions; and things in Cali- 
fornia were again quiet, when my informant 
had occasion to go to Monterey, and on his 
way arrived at the Mission of San Luis 
Obispo, where he found the hero of Santa 
Tnez. 'Welcome, countryman 1 ' was his 
greeting. 'The same to jou, Fatherl' was 
the reply, " but father, they tell me you are 
in trouble.' ' Yes, my son; the president of 
the missions has suspended me from the ex- 
ercise of clerical functions for one year, for 
the unclerical language I used in that 
affair at Santa Ynez. The old fool, he knew 
1 was a soldier before I became a priest, and 
when those accursed Indians drove me back 
to my old trade how could I help using my 
old language?' Then, taking out a couple of 
decanters from a cupboard, he continued, 
' Here, countryman, help yourself; here is 
wine; here is aguardiente. The old fool 
thinks he is a punishing me; I have no mass 
to say for a year, and I have nothing to do 
but to eat, drink and sleep.' 

" We stopped over night at the ranch of 
Santa Margarita, and from there to the Oji- 
tos (small springs), some fifty miles, there 
was not a single residence. On our way that 
day we stopped at the San Miguel Mission, 
the scene of the massacre of the Reed family, 
eleven in number, in December, 1847, the 
first, as it was the most atrocious, of all the 
crimes that miri mc-ra fames, the accursed 
thirst for gold, brought upon California. We 



entered the once hospitable hall and looked 
at the dark-red stains on the floor where the 
assassin had piled up their victims, with the 
intention of firing the building; and on the 
wall was another dark stain, where one of the 
fiends had caught up poor Eeed's baby-girl 
by the feet and dashed out its brains against 
the wall. We visited the churchyard and 
stood by the long grave where were buried 
the eleven victims, the jovial, hospitable 
English sailor, his pretty California wife, 
with her infant and unborn child, the old 
motherly midwife, Olvera, two grown up 
daughters, and all the servants. Not one 
escaped to tell the tale, but it was afterward 
told by the murderers, who were arrested, 
tried and shot in Santa Barbara. 

" The second night after, we stopped at the 
San Antonio Mission, and from there we 
rode to the Soledad. We had got along 
peaceably together so far, but that day oc- 
curred the only difiiculty among us that hap- 
pened on the trip. Two of the party got 
into an animated discussion as to whether the 
world was round or flat. The first main- 
tained that it was round, that all the scien- 
tific men and books maintained and proved 
it to be so. The second insisted that it was 
. flat, that he had traveled from San Diego to 
San Francisco, and saw it was flat; and the 
sailors that came from Boston and China 
found the ocean always flat, and he would 
believe the evidence of his own eyes in pref- 
erence to all the books and scientists in the 
world. In leaving the question to the third 
member of the party, who had traveled all 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



the way from Maine to California by an ir- 
regular route by land, amounting to over 4,000 
miles, was, as far as he could tell by the size 
had all seemed level to him, but he could 
not decide between them. The first one used 
such sarcastic language that the second be- 
came sullen, and, spurring his horse, rode 
ahead of the others in silence. The third 
member told the first that that would never 
do; that they were delegates from the 
oldest and most substantial section of Cali- 
fornia, and that their business was to see that 
the interests of their section were protected, 
and it would never do for them to quarrel 
among themselves; that they should have all 
those Yankees from San Francisco and the 
mining districts to contend with, and that 
the matter in dispute between them had 
nothing to do with making a constitution. 
' You are right,' he said, ' and I will make 
it up,' and spurred his horse to overtake 
his countryman and make friends with him. 
From that time on, we had no further diffi- 
culty. 

" Our last day's ride was from Soiedad Mis- 
sion to Monterey, down the west bank of the 
Salinas river. About half way, Carrillo 
pointed out a large oak tree, where, in 1846 
was found the dead body of his uncle, Don 
Jose Ygnacio Lugo, the grandfather of the 
Wolfskills of Los Angeles, who are his only 
descendants. He was over eighty years of 
age, and all Jiis life had been eccentric, and 
as old age came on this eccentricity became 
more marked until it bordered on insanity. 
He owned a few cattle and horses, which he 



tended himself, permitting no assistance from 
others, and which he kept under complete 
control. He had been in the habit of travel- 
ing from Los Angeles to Monterey and back 
again, as the whim took him. 

" He always drove his cattle with him, and 
wherever he unsaddled to pass the night 
they were trained to come up and remain 
qniet all night near him, and not leave until 
he gave the signal in the morning. He 
started for Monterey on his last trip, and a 
vaquero, about sunset, returning from his 
rounds, found him lying beneath the oak ap- 
parently asleep. He was a handsome old 
man, with long, snow-white locks. His cat- 
tle wore lying down near him, chewing their 
cud, while the horses were near by, and his 
saddled horse stood mutely gazing on his 
master. He had evidently stopped to rest at 
noon, and the vaquero, after speaking to him 
and receiving no answer, dismounted and 
found he had died apparently without a strug- 
gle or groan. The spirit of the old soldier 
had gone to meet his God! 

"We arrived at Monterey near sunset, after 
a warm, dusty day's ride. Stearns stopped 
with Don David Spence, an old resident like 
himself. Carrillo and Dominguez rode on to 
the house of Dona Augustias de Jimeno, a 
niece of the former. Carrillo pointed out to 
me the house of the Seiiora Vallejo. I 
asked him to introduce me to his aunt, but 
he shrugged his huge shoulders and said: 
' She gave me a good scolding the last time I 
met her, and I don't care to face her now.' 
I rode on to the house, where 1 found my 



MONTEUBT COUNTY. 



hostess seated on the porch. I recognized 
her at once from her resemblance to her 
brotlier. She was over seventy-five years of 
age, and must have been a handsome woman 
in her prime. She politely rose to return 
my salutation. I gave her her brother's mes- 
sage, while she fixed on me her keen black eyes, 
from beneath the heavy eyebrows. Two of 
her daughters had long been married to 
Americans, who had come to California in 
early times (Captain Cooper and Mr. Leese), 
and she liked the old residents well enough, 
but could not bear the newcomer. When 
the Bear Flag was raised in Sonoma, by the 
newly arrived American immigrants in 1846, 
before news of the declaration of war had 
reached California, they had imprisoned two 
of her sons, and made free use of their cattle 
and horses. When I finished she asked me 
to dismount, and gave me a warm welcome 
for her brother's sake. There were tears in 
the eyes of the aged woman, caused by the 
memories recalled by my message, and there 
were tears in the writer's eyes, as he remem- 
bered the warm embrace of the New Eng- 
land mother when she parted from her 
first born, long years before, far off on the 
rock-bound coast of Maine. 

" I did not know until months afterward 
that that mother was in her grave, and that 
the last news she ever had of her wayward 
son was a catalogue issued in 1845 of the 
alumni of Yale College of the class of 1840, 
where opposite my name, was the entry, 
' Last heard from in northern Mexico. 
Keported to have been killed by Indians.' 



"I will here insert the circumstances of the 
' last meeting ' mentioned in the message I 
bore. In March, 1846, Dona Maria Antonia 
was seated in the porch of her house, which 
commanded a full view of the town and the 
Southern road, accompanied by one of her 
granddaughters. Three horsemen were seen 
slowly turning the point where one coming 
from the south can first be seen. The old 
lady shaded her eyes and gazed long and ex- 
claimed, 'There comes my brother!' O, 
grandmother, yonder come three horsemen, 
but no one can tell who they are at that dis- 
tance.' ' But, girl,' she replied, ' my old 
eyes are better than yours. That tall man in 
the middle is ray brother, whom I have not 
seen for twenty years. I know him by his 
seat in the saddle. No man in California 
rides like him. Hurry off, girl; call your 
mother and aunts, your brothers, sisters and 
cousins, and let us go forth to welcome him. 
The horsemen drew near and a little group 
of some twenty women and children stood 
waiting with grandmother at their head, 
her eyes fixed on the tall horseman, an old 
white-haired man, who flung himself from the 
saddle, and, mutually exclaiming 'Brother!' 
'Sister!' they were locked in a warnj em- 
brace. 

"We met at tiie time appointed in Colton 
hall and organized. 

" We finished our work in the early part of 
October, for Governor Riley's proclamation 
calling upon the people to vote on the con- 
stitution is dated October 12, 1849. Whether 
we did our work well or ill is not for the 



70 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



writer to say; but, under that constitution, 
California, from a state of anarchy in 1849 
has become a prosperous and well-organized 
State in 1878. 

"In regard to our compensation it was fixed 
by ourselves, and paid out of a fund arising 
from duties on foreign goods, in virtue of a 
tariff established during the war, for Mexican 
ports occupied by the United States forces, as 
Congress, in its first session after the acquisi- 
tion of California, failed to extend the reve- 
nue laws over California. 

"Another convention is now (March 1878) 
to be called, and when the Los Angeles 
delegation go up to attend it, they can have 
their choice of the steamer or the palace car; 
and if compensation is allowed, they have the 
treasury of a rich and powerful State; while 
the writer, thirty years ago, had to go depend- 
ent on old Lugo's bear horse as his means of 
transportation and letter of recommendation, 
and the old Frenchman for funds to defray 
his necessary expenses." 

Dr. Robert Semple was made president of 
the convention, William G. Marcy, secre- 
tary; J. Ross Browne, official reporter; W. E. 
P. Hartnell, interpreter, etc. The convention 
having finished its work October 13, the new 
constitution, together with Governor Riley's 
proclamation, and an address to the people, 
signed by all the delegates, was printed and 
circulated throughout the Territory, with all 
dispatch; and preparations were at once made 
to hold an election, for the purpose of adopt- 
ing the new instrument, and the election of 
officers, etc., as provided for in the same. 



Governor Riley allowed the members of 
the convention, from the money collected 
from customs since the conquest, $16 per 
day, and $16 for each twenty miles traveled, 
counting each way. Ross Browne was paid 
§10,000 for 1,000 bound copies in English, 
and 250 copies in Spanish of his official report 
of the proceedings. 

At the election held November 13, 1849, 
the Constitution was adopted by a vote of 
12,064 for and 811 against. The population 
at the time was estimated at a little over 
100,000 souls. At the same time Peter H. 
Burnett was elected governor: John Mc- 
Dongal, lieutenant-governor; Edward Gil- 
bert and G. W. Wright as Congressional 
representatives, etc. 

CHAPTER XIIL 

THE STATE ORGANIZED. 

^^IS December 20, 1849, the governor 
IPHJ elect Burnett was duly installed; Gov- 
^ ernor Riley and his secretary of State, 
Halleck, at the same time resigning their re- 
spective offices. Governor Riley remained 
at Monterey until July of the next year. Be- 
fore his return to the Atlantic States, the 
city of Monterey voted him a medal of gold, 
weighing one pound, as a token of respect, 
the same being presented to him in behalf of 
the city, at a large banquet given in his 
honor, by P. A. Roach. One side of the 
medal bore the arms of the city; the other the 
legend, "The man who came to do his duty 
and who accomplished his purpose." 

The first legislature (which consisted of 



MONTEBEr COUNTY. 



sixteen senators and thirty-six assemblymen) 
met at San Jose, December 15, 1849, though 
a quorum failed to appear on the first and 
second days of the session. As there were 
yet no county organizations, the members of 
the legislature had been elected, as were the 
delegates to the constitutional convention, 
by districts. The senator from the Monterey 
district was Selim E. Woodworth, son of 
the author of "The Old Oaken Bucket;" and 
the assemblymen were T. R. Per Lee and J. 
S. Gray. 

E. K. Chamberlain of the San Diego dis- 
trict, was elected president of the Senate pro 
tern, and Dr. Thomas J. White of the Sacra- 
mento district was elected speaker of the 
assembly. 

John C. Fremont and William M. Gwin 
were elected United States Senators; Ricliard 
Roman, state treasurer; J. S. Houston, 
comptroller; E. J. C. Kewen, attorney-gen- 
eral; C. A. Whitney, surveyor-general; S. C. 
Hastings, chief justice and H. A. Lyons and 
Natlianiel Bennett, associate justices of the 
Supreme Court, and thus a constitutional 
State government was set in motion. The 
legislature established nine judicial districts 
Monterey being included in the third dis- 
trict; the territory of the newly organized 
State was divided into twenty-seven counties. 
Monterey county including the present 
county of San Benito, was one of the original 
number. 

The act of Congress admitting California 
as a State into the Union was signed on 
September 9, 1850, after a prolonged and 



bitter contest in each House on the question 
of the perpetual prohibition of slavery in the 
new Territory, in which contest the cause of 
freedom triumphed. The news of the ad- 
mission caused great joy to Californians, 
when received by them, on October 18. The 
9th of September has become a State legal 
holiday. 

SUPPEESSrON OF DISOKDEE. 

The tremendous influx of adventurers into 
California after the discovery of gold, from 
all parts of the world, of course, resulted in 
much disturbance to public order. Many 
vicious, lawless characters roamed about the 
State, singly and in bands, committing rob- 
beries and murders, till citizens were com- 
pelled to defend their lives and property by 
summary, and sometimes irregular, methods, 
inasmuch as the legal machinery of the State 
often proved altogether inadequate to meet 
the exti'aordinary emergencies as they arose. 

Governor McDougal authorized Selim E. 
Woodworth to raise a military company in 
1851, to pursue marauders, who were steal- 
ing stock in Monterey county. But neither 
ordinary nor extraordinary legal methods, nor 
even vigilance committees, could entirely ex- 
terminate the evil. A conglomerate pop- 
ulation, suddenly gathered together from the 
four quarters of the world, could hardly be 
expected to assume, all at once, the customs 
and the decorous appearance of old-established 
communities; and a long time elapsed before 
these disturbing causes disappeared in Cali- 
fornia. " Healthy hangings" of murderers, 



73 



MONTEREY OOUNTT. 



outlaws, and highway robbers, etc., by vigilance 
committees, when legal remedies failed, tended 
powerfully to clarify the moral and social 
atmosphere. The alternative was forced on 
people in many localities in California in 
early times, whether cut-throats and murder- 
ers should be hung hy the people or not at 
all; all other remedies failing, the simple 
issue was: Shall a murderer be hung by the 
people, or shall he go unhung? 

When corrupt political gamblers and ballot- 
box stuffers, through chicanery and violence 
get control of the government, and paralyze 
the normal workings of its machinery; when 
the dominance of gamblers and blacklegs, and 
the presence of the vicious in overwhelming 
numbers, aided by shyster lawyers, make the 
administration of justice by regular, or by le- 
gal methods, impossible, the question may be 
fairly asked by philosophical students of 
history, — as it has often been asked by Cali- 
fornians themselves, when actually confronted 
by exigencies which required an immediate 
answer. Is it not in fact an evidence of the 
highest moral virtue in a community that it 
summarily puts a stop to a state of aflairs 
which have become intolerable, rather than 
let it continue indefinitely, with all the ruin- 
ous, demoralizing influences which inevitably 
attend such indefinite continuance of crime 
unchecked ? 

Did not the great vigilance movement of 
San Francisco in 1856 rise to the dignity of 
a revolution? Was the "sacred right of rev- 
olution" ever more justly invoked than on 
that occasion? Of course vigilance commit- 



tees, great or small, can only be vindicated 
by their results and by the justness of their 
cause on precisely the same principles as are 
revolutions; for they are in fact quasi-rev- 
olutions. When people, whether in large or 
small bodies, with good and high motives and 
for justifiable ends, to save the life of the 
State, or their own liberties, go back to first 
principles, and take political power into their 
ovim hands, they thereby become responsible 
for the proper use of that power. If they 
use it wisely, for the best good of all, then 
they justfy their acts; if not, not. 

Better, sometimes, is aggressive revolution, 
if wisely directed, than is imbecile submission 
to the murder of liberty; better vigilance 
committees than stark anarchy! At least so 
think many old-time Californians, who have 
so often seen both the necessity and the prac- 
tical wisdom of these much-disputed maxims 
exemplified. 

Many, many times, when the law failed, 
have the people themselves suppressed crim- 
inals who, but for the uprising of the people, 
would not have been suppressed. 

Tlie first Mayor of Monterey, under the 
State organization, was Philip A. Roach, who 
had been judge of the first instance, under 
the military rule of Governor Riley. In 
1851, Roach was elected to the State Senate 
from Monterey. The assemblyman this 
year was A. Randall, and for 1852 Isaac 
B. Wall. In the legislatures of 1854-55, 
Monterey's senator was B. C. Whiting, after- 
ward United States district attorney for the 
southern district of California, D. R. Ashley 



MONTEREY GOUNTT. 



being the assemblyman. In 1856, Ashley 
was senator (holding for two years); and R. 
L. Matthews was assemblyman for this year, 
and E. Castro for the succeeding year; and 
Jose A.brego was elected to the assembly in 
1858; and Mariano Malarin in 1859-'60; A. 
W. Blair in 1861; Juan W. Cot, in 1862; 
J. H. Watson was senator in 1860-'61, and 
G. K. Porter for Monterey and Santa Cruz, 
in 1862-'63; Estevan Castro was assembly- 
man in 1863. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

MONTEREY UNDER AMERICAN RULE. 

fHE removal of the capital from Monte- 
rey, the residence of the governors else- 
where, the superior attractions for 
commerce of the harbor of San Francisco, 
all tended to lessen the relative social, politi- 
cal and commercial importance of the ancient 
capital. The changes in the town itself, or in 
its outward appeai-ance, during the last forty 
years, have been comparatively few. Changes 
in its surroundings, and in the coimty of 
Monterey, have occurred. That portion of 
the county lying east of the Gabilan range 
of mountains was set off in 1874, forming 
the county of San Benito. 

Although the old town presents much the 
appearance that it did thirty and forty years 
ago, and the houses and most of the streets 
have changed but little, the building of the 
railroad and of the magniticient Hotel del 
Monte, and of the adjacent town of Pacific 
Grove, have brought bustle and business to the 
town in spite of itself. The combination of his- 



toric associations, running buck to a different 
civilization, which cluster around the ancient 
Spanish and Mexican capital, in close juxta- 
position with the luxuries and gayeties of a 
modern grand caravansary, like the Hotel 
del Monte, and the building up, close by, of 
a religious, social and literary sea-side resort, 
al^ make Monterey and its environs a very 
attractive center, to which, in recent years, 
thousands annually flock, as to a modern 
Mecca. There is no other town in the State, 
which retains, in the appearance of its houses 
and streets, its Mexican characteristics, to any- 
thing like the extent that Monterey does, 
though improvement and Americanizing 
changes have been going on around it. The 
old Catholic church, built and completed in 
1794, as is indicated by these figures on its 
front, and the rectory near by, still stand; 
the old custom house, and " Colton Hall," 
built under early American rule; and many 
of the old adobe or stone residences, still en- 
dure; the old " Cuartel " has been entirely 
demolished within the last few years. The 
venerable oak on which it is supposed Father 
Junipero hung a bell (as a large iron spike 
has, during the present year, 1892, been cut 
out of it), and under which he first said Mass 
after landing, is still green as it was 122 
years ago. The cross marked "June 3, 1770," 
still stands near this tree, symbolizing the 
locality and date of the " landing " of the 
heroic Franciscan and his party, which is 
appropriately and finely tyiiified by the ideal- 
ized monument on the hill hard by. And 
the actors qf the early years of American 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



rule, Sloat, Larkin, Colton, Fremont, the 
bright, youthful, but afterward illustrious 
Lieutenants Sherman, Halleek and Ord; 
Cooper, Spence, Hartiiell, Abrego, Little, 
Leese, and many others have passed away, 
and their places have been taken by their 
descendants, or by strangers, who knew them 
not. Of the survivors of that era, compara- 
tively few remain; and most of them were 
children then: of those who were adults at 
that time, Mrs. Captain Cooper, Mrs. Little, 
Mrs. Abrego, Mr. David Jacks, Mr. Thomas 
Bralee, Mr. John A. Swan, of whom mention 
is made elsewhere in this work, and perhaps 
one or two others, still, in 1892, survive. 
During the succeeding era, and until the 
coming of the i-ailroad. the annals of Monterey 
town were comparatively uneventful. The 
United States district court used to hold its 
sessions alternately here and at Los Angeles 
for a number of years. The southern United 
States judicial district of California, under 
the first law establishing the southern dis- 
trict, included Monterey, and provided that 
sessions should be held here as well as at 
Los Angeles. The judges were: Mr. Jones, 
who died soon after appointment; L S. K. 
Ogier, who served till his death, May 21, 
1861; and Fletcher M. Ilaight, who died 
about the year 1866. The attorneys for the 
first southern district were: Alfred Wheeler, 
L S. K. Ogier, afterward judge; Facificus 
Ord, J. E. Gitchell, Kimball H. Dimmick, 
and B. C. Whiting. The marshals were: 
Pablo Noriega, Edward Hunter, and Henry D. 
Barrows; and the clerks were: Alexander S. 



Taylor, James C. Pennie, and John O. 
Wheeler. Many very impotant land cases 
came before both Judge Ogier and Judge 
Haight. Among the most important was 
that of the Mexican grant of the ranche, 
" Panoche Grande," to Vicente Gomez, men- 
tioned elsewhere. After the death of Judge 
Haight the two districts were consolidated 
in one. Under the new Federal law dividing 
this State into two districts again, passed in 
the 'SOs, Monterey remains in the northern 
district. The only members of the old court 
now living, are ex-Clerk Wheeler and ex- 
Marshal Barrows, who reside in Los Angeles. 

CHAPTER XV. 

PIONEEK KEMINISCENCES THE ORD BKOTHEES 

IN CAUFOKNIA. 

fHE following interesting account of the 
Ord brothers, who were prominent in 
'^ the early annals of California, is de- 
rived from one of their number. Dr. James 
L. Ord, at present a resident of Santa Bar- 
bara. 

The brothers, Facificus, born in 1816, Ed- 
ward O. C, afterward the General, born 1818, 
and James L., born in 1823, were sons of 
James Ord, of Washington, D. C, a native 
of England, who was supposed to have been 
a son of George IV, by Mrs. Fitzgerald. 
(See Lord North's Life of Mrs. Fitzgerald.) 
While an infant he was sent to Spain, and 
two years later to the United States, where 
he was placed in charge of a man named Ord, 
whqse name he took, and at the age of ten 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



75 



he was placed in Georgetown College. He 
was later in the navy, being two years on the 
frigate Congress, during the war of 1812. 
After that he resigned and entered the army. 
He married Miss Rebecca Cresap, daughter 
of Colonel Daniel Cresap, of Revolutionary 
fame, whose house in Cumberland, Maryland, 
was Washington's headquarters when he was 
a young surveyor in that country. 

Both Lieutenant and Doctor Ord came to 
California as members of Company F, Third 
Artillery, on the United States ship Lexing- 
ton, arriving at Monterey, January 26, 1847. 
Lieutenant Ord was in command a portion 
of the time at Monterey till 1850, when he 
returned East, where he was made a captain 
and stationed at Boston Harbor. In 1854 
he came again to California — served at Fort 
Miller, then in Oregon. He was in the fight 
with the Nez Ferces; General George Wright, 
who commanded, said the battle was saved 
by Captain Ord's battery, which he unlim- 
bered on the top of a hill and with it raked 
the Indians with canister and grape, killing 
lai-ge numbers of them. He was also at 
Rogue river, where he saved the lives of 
Ballard and the settlers, who were sur- 
rounded in a log-house by Indians, when he 
with his company came to their rescue. 

A CURIOUS INCIDENT. 

Dr. Ord gives this curious incident in the 
life of his brother, in connection with the 
precipitation of the Mexican war, and the far- 
reaching issues which grew out of it, includ- 
.ng the taking of California, etc. At a 



meeting of President Polk and his Cabinet, it 
was decided to send Lieutenant Ord as a 
bearer of dispatches to General Taylor, order- 
ing him to cross the Nueces river and occupy 
the disputed territory between the Nueces 
and Rio Grande. 

At a later meeting of the Cabinet the 
previous determination was reconsidered and 
a courier was sent to countermand the pre- 
vious order, but he was delayed by heavy 
rains and bad roads, and failed to overtake 
Ord till it was too late, and till after the 
battle of Palo Alto had been fought. 

While the American fleet on this coast 
was lying at Mazatlan, Surgeon Wood, be- 
ing in poor health, went East, and he learned 
somewhere in Mexico that General Taylor 
had crossed the Nueces river, and he sent 
back a courier with the news to the American 
consul, and through him to Commodore 
Sloat, who thereupon set sail for Monterey, 
where he arrived July 1, 1846, and some two 
weeks ahead of the English fleet under Ad- 
miral Seymour of the Collingwood. The 
latter vessel arrived at Monterey on the 16th 
of July, one day after the arrival of the 
Congress, and anchored right between the 
Congress and Savannah, and Sloat supposing 
that Seymour had later news from the seat 
of war, and also not knowing that the Oregon 
boundary question had been settled, ordered 
his guns double-shotted, with directions to 
aim at the water line of the Collingwood. 
But whatever sinister appearance Seymour's 
act of anchoring between the two American 
men-of-war ma}' have had, no other move- 



MONTERET COUJ^TT. 



ment indicating possible hostilities on the 
part of the English admiral was made, and 
the subsequent intercourse between the oiR- 
cers of the two fleets was very friendly till 
not long after Seymour sailed away. 

Later (in December, 1846) Seymour met 
the Lexington, which was on its way to Cal- 
ifornia with Company F of the Third Ar- 
tillery, at Valparaiso. The British Admiral, 
in a friendly interview in Captain Tomp- 
kins' cabin on board the Lexington, Captain 
Bailey, Lieutenants Sherman, Ord and Hal- 
leck being present, said, " The Yankees were 
two weeks ahead of us in the taking of Cal- 
ifornia." 

Lieutenant Ord was stationed at the pre- 
sidio of San Francisco, in command of Ord's 
battery, at the commencement of the Civil 
war, when he received the appointment of 
brigadier-general. He was with Grant at 
the siege of Vicksbnrg; and at its capitu- 
lation he was second in command. Later in 
the war, he relieved General Butler, and be- 
came commander of the Army of the James, 
and hie army made a forced march and 
headed off Lee; and he was one of the few 
officers present at Lee's surrender at Appo- 
mattox; and he afterward purchased the 
table of McLain, on which the surrender was 
signed. He was afterward placed in com- 
mand at Richmond. Subsequent to the close 
of the war, he was military governor of 
Arkansas and Missouri; and later in com- 
mand of the department of the Lakes, with 
headquarters at Detroit. He then came to 
California, and relieved General McDowell. 



After being successively in command of the 
Platte, and in Texas, he was retired as full 
major-general, by special act of Congress. 
After a visit to Mexico General Ord went 
to Havana, where in 1884 he died of the 
yellow fever. His remains were brought 
home and interred in the National Cemetery 
by special resolution of Congress. 

Pacilicus Ord, the eldest of the three 
Californian Ords, after the adoption of the 
constitution (he being a member of the con- 
stitutional convention), was elected one of 
the judges of the Supreme Court. 

Afterward he was United States District 
Attorney for the southern district of Cali- 
fornia. 

Judge Ord's first wife, whom he married 
in New Orleans, died in Monterey. His 
second wife he married in San Francisco. 
They went East and to Europe, where she 
died. On his return he lived in New York, 
where he married his third wife, who also 
has since died. He now lives in the city of 
Washington, in the seventy-seventh year of 
his age. He has a daughter living who mar- 
ried a Colonel Preston; and a sun, an attorr 
ney who lives in New York. 

Doctor Ord, after serving a year at Mon- 
terey, was ordered to Santa Barbara, where 
he was attached to Captain F. J. Lippitt's 
company. 

In '56, he married Dona Augustias de la 
Guerra de Jimeno, widow of Secretary Jim- 
eno, under Governor Micheltorena, and Mrs. 
Hartnell, and of Judge Pablo de la Guerra- 
In '57 or '58 they went to Santa Barbara to 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



live. In 1871 he went to the city of Mexico, 
_^ where he was made consul-general of the 
United States; he also for a time represented 
England and France, in that capital. 

In '73 he returned to San Francisco, and 
again entered the army, and served twelve 
years in Arizona, resigning in November, 
1891. Doctor Ord has interests in Santa 
Barbara, and he makes that his home as 
much as any place. 

Doctor Ord's further reminiscences of per- 
sons and events, in the early times in Mon- 
terey, are exceedingly interesting, and no 
excuses are needed for inserting them here. 
He says his company landed in January, 
'47, and was stationed on the hill where the 
earthworks still exist. As they occupied 
tents and the weather was quite cold, they 
moved down in February to the old custom 
house. Lieutenant Sherman and Doctor Ord 
occupied the north end of the building, and 
the south end was used as a hospital, some 
three months. Spence had a store then: so 
had Larkin and Green, and also Watson. 

Among the old residents were: Araesti, 
from Spain, who had married a Vailejo; and 
Cooper and Leeseand Del Valle, all of whom 
had married Yallejos; and Abrego, who mar- 
ried an Estrada, etc. 

Dr. Ord says that the officers of his com- 
pany were received by the people of Monte- 
rey, not as enemies, but as friends. Among 
the ladies of influential families were Senora 
Vailejo (mother of the general) Senoras 
Amesti and Abrego, and Mrs. Larkin, who 
was the first American woman to come to 



Monterey to live. Dr. Ord thinks the Lark- 
ins have a son, who is still living; and that 
he (the son) has several children. The de- 
scendants of the Vallejos, the Coopers, the 
Leeses, the Spences, the Abregos, etc., are 
quite numerous, and live, some still in Mon- 
terey, some in Santa Clara, and some in San 
Francisco, or Sonoma, or elsewhere. The 
father of the Russ' brothers, who built the 
Huss House in San Francisco, was a mason, 
and he built, or helped to build Colton Hall. 
The newspaper. The Californian, was pub- 
lished while Dr. Ord was in Monterey. 

Dr. Ord was in the mines awhile in '49, 
and Sherman, and Mason, and Colton, came 
to his camp at Jamestown, and stayed over 
night. 

Dr. Ord relates this curious incident: The 
officers of Company F gave a jjarty, or haile, 
with supper and champagne, etc., at Mr. 
Hartnell's house on the hill, on the 6th of 
July, 1847; and, although the Californians 
were very friendly, they got the idea errone- 
ously that the ball was purposely given on 
the anniversary of the taking of California, 
and they would not come. Nevertheless the 
officers had a good time: Sherman, Halleck, 
Ord, etc., were there; also Mr. Hartnell's 
family and a few others. 

In The Monterey New Era of July 28, 
1892, Dr. Ord furnishes the following cor- 
rection of history: 



FOET HALLECK. 



We were favored with a very pleasant call 
yesterday from Dr. James L. Ord, the only 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



surviving officer of the company of Third Ar- 
tillery (of which he was surgeon) that came 
in '4:7 with the expedition of American occu- 
pation. From his interesting reminiscences of 
early days in Monterey, we learn that the old 
fort on the Government reservation is mis- 
named in the Southern Pacific maps, being 
designated Fort Fremont. It is really Fort 
Halleck, so named in honor of Lieutenant 
(afterward Major-General) H. W. Halleck, of 
the corps of engineers, by whom it was laid 
out. The fort was built by Lieutenant E. O. 
C. Ord and Lieutenant W. T. Sherman, in 
1847, and the earthworks were thrown up bj 
Colonel J. D. Stevenson's command, the New 
York Volunteers and the regulars then sta- 
tioned on the hill. How the error of attrib- 
uting the erection of the fort to Fremont 
came to be made it is hard to determine. 

Dr. Ord has retired from active service and 
is taking life easy now. He spent the winter 
in Santa Barbara, and is now staying for a 
time at the El Garmelo Hotel, Pacific Grove, 
revisiting, with much pleasure, the scenes of 
former days in old Monterey. 

KEMINISCENCES OF MRS. LITTLE. 

Mrs. Milton Little, still living in 1892, in 
the enjoyment of excellent health and with a 
perfect meinory, gives this very rational and 
without doubt perfectly true account, based 
on her personal knowledge, of the establish- 
ment of the first public library in Califor- 
nia, at Monterey. She says a joint-stock 
company, with forty shares, was formed, for 
the purpose of founding a public library, and 



her husband took two shares; and each share 
was assessed $40 (Mr. Little paid |80, his 
assessment on the two shares); and $1,500 
was thus raised, and sent to Rev. Walter 
Colton, in Philadelphia, or New York, who 
selected the books and sent them round the 
Horn. When the books arrived, another 
assessment of $8 a share was made to pay 
the freight and expenses; and she remem- 
bers that Mr. L. had to pay this assessment 
on his two shares, of $1(3. The stockholders 
were the prominent citizens of Monterey. 
Mrs. Little thinks that probably not more 
than one-half the original number of books 
are now in the collection, as many of the 
stockholders, after a while, did not return 
them often when they drew them out; and 
thus in the course of years many of the 
books have disappeared. 

This valuable and unique library, or what 
remains of it, is now in the possession of the 
Monterey City School District. It is kept in 
the upper story of the new. public-school 
building. It still includes full sets of very 
valuable and very rare works, as for example, 
the proceedings of Congress from the fonnda- 
tion of the Government in 1789, and many 
other very scarce volumes. It ought to be 
kept in a tire-proof building, as its loss would 
be irreparable. 

In a catalogue issued by the directors, 
dated Monterey, June 1, 1853, those officials 
say, among other things: "The Monterey 
Library Association was organized at Mon- 
terey in the year 1849, and, it is believed, is 



MONTEREY COUNTY, 



the first established public library in Cali- 
fornia." 

" The greater part of the library was pur- 
chased in New York," " and contains about 
1,000 volumes of well-selected American, 
English and Spanish books, treating upon the 
various subjects of human knowledge," etc. 
"The officers of the association are: 

Milton Little, President. 

J. B. Knapp, Vice-President. 

Wm. S. Johnson, Treasurer. 

D. R. Ashley, Secretary arid Librarian.''^ 
Mrs. Little, whose reminiscences of early 
times and persons in California are invalu- 
able, furnishes the following bit of history 
concerning a file of The Californian, the 
first newspaper published in California, by 
Colton & Semple, in 1846. Mr. Little, as a 
regular subscriber of the paper, saved a com- 
plete file of the same during the whole time 
it was published in Monterey. This file he 
preserved with great care, as he naturally 
prized it very highly. But some time in the 
'SOs, Editor McElroy was publishing a paper 
in Monterey, and he borrowed this file of 
Mr. Little to copy items from, and he never 
returned it. Afterward, when asked for it by 
Mr. Little in San Francisco, he said he had 
donated it to the " Society of California 
Pioneers." When asked in whose name he 
had done this, he replied, in his own! Mr. 
Little was exceedingly angry, although if he 
had been accorded the credit of the gift, as 
was his just due, he doubtless would have 
been entirely satisfied to have had it gone 
into the keeping of the historical association, 



in whose possession it is now supposed to be. 
But it is due to Mr. Little that these facts 
should be known, even after the lapse of forty 
years, than that they should not be known at 
all, by the pioneers and by the world. 

REMINISCENCES OF MES. iBREGO. 

One of the most interesting personages 
now (1892) living in Monterey, is Dona 
Josefa Estrada de Abrego, widow of Don 
Jose Abrego. Although Mrs. Abrego was 
born in 1814, in Monterey, and has borne 
eighteen children; and although her eye- 
sight fails her, so that she is only able to re- 
cognize her acquaintances by the sound of 
their voices, she is still as fair and youthful 
in her appearance as though sli% were only 
fifty-eight or less, instead of seventy-eiglit; 
and she moves about the various rooms of her 
spacious home in which she has lived ever 
since her marriage, fifty-six years ago, with 
the ease and precision of a maiden of twenty. 

Her husband, Don Jose Abrego, was born 
in the city of Mexico, in 1813, and came to 
Monterey in 1835, with the colony, on the 
Natalia, a portion of the timbers of which 
historic vessel he had built into his house. 
Mrs. Abrego's father, Raimundo, and a 
brother, Mariano Estrada, were brought from 
Mexico when mere boys, by Governor Luis 
Arrillaga, who reared and educated them. 
Mr. and Mrs. Abrego were married in 1836, 
and moved at once into a part of the house 
(which he had built, and to which additions 
were afterward made), in which she has ever 
since lived, and in which all her children were 



MONTEREY COUNTY 



born. Don Jose died some fifteen years ago. 
Of their children, only four sous and one 
daughter are still living. One daughter, the 
beautiful and accomplished Mrs. Bolado, died 
within the present year, 1892. 

Mrs. Abrego has in her home one of the 
first pianofortes ever brought to California. 
A paper on the inside of it, written by Mr. 
Abrego, says: 

" In 1841, Captain Stephen Smith arrived 
with his vessel in Monterey, and I engaged 
him to bring me a piano on his next trip to 
this country. 

" In March, 1843, he returned to this city 
in a brigantine; lie had three pianos on board. 
I bought this one of him for $600. He 
then sailed to San Francisco, where General 
Vallejo purchased another of the pianos. 
The third one was afterward sold by Captain 
Smith to E. de Cells at Los Angeles." 

The Abrego piano is a six-octave, made by 
" Beitkopt & Harrtel," "Leipzig;" "im- 
ported by Brauns & Focke, Baltimore." 

CHAPTER XVI. 

CHURCHES, SOCIETIES, ETC. 

ffljSHERE are three churches in the city of 
W^J¥ Monterey, namely: the Roman Catho- 
^ lie, whose venerable place of worship 
was erected nearly a century ago; and the 
Presbyterian and Episcopalian, with their 
modern church edifices. 

Episcopal service was held at Monterey, in 
the old Washington Hotel Hall, March 14, 
1875. The Episcopal Church at Monterey 
and Pacific Grove at the present time is 



represented by three chapels, named and 
located as follows: St. James, at Monterey; 
St. Mary's-by-the-Sea, at Pacific Grove; and 
St. John's, near the Hotel del Monte. The 
St. James Chapel, Monterey, was erected 
about the year 1877 or 1878, under the 
rectorship of the Rev. James S. McGowan, 
It was consecrated by Bishop Kip, July 14, 
1878. It cost about ^1,500. St. Mary's-by- 
the-Sea was organized in 1887, and the erec- 
tion of the church edifice was commenced the 
27th of August, 1890. The spacious rectory, 
located near the church, was built during the 
summer of 1891. St. John's Chapel, near 
Hotel del Monte, was erected under the 
supervision of the Rev. Dr. E. B. Spalding, 
rector of St. John's Church, San Francisco, 
from funds contributed by guests of the 
hotel; and the land upon which the church 
is located, containing about one acre, was a 
gift of the late Charles Crocker. The church 
edifice is a unique structure, of the old Nor- 
man style of architecture, built of a combina- 
tion of stone and shingles. It was formally 
opened for divine service, June 14, 1891, by 
the Right Rev. W. F. Nichols, D. D., assist- 
ant bishop of California. 

The three chapels, comprising one parish, 
are under the rectorship of the Rev. C. S. 
Fackenthall, under whose able ministration 
they are enjoying a period of spiritual and 
material growth. The valuation of the prop- 
erty of the parish is about $32,000. There 
are two ladies' guilds, one each at Monterey 
and Pacific Grove; and at the former place 
an organization auxiliary to the ladies' 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



guilds, viz., St. Agnes' Guild, composed of 
the younger ladies of the church. These 
guilds have been the most active and efficient 
workers of these church societies, and in fact 
the foundation of their growth and pros- 
perity. The new and elegant rectory at Pa- 
cific Grove is the result of the combined 
labors of the two guilds. 

The benevolent societies of Monterey are 
represented by the Masons, Odd Fellows, 
Chosen Friends, Sons of the Golden West, 
Young Men's Institute, United Workmen, 
etc. Their stated meetings, etc., are as fol- 
lows : 

Monterey Lodge, No. 182, I. O. O. F., 
meets every Thursday evening, at 7:30 
o'clock. E. B. Rich, N. G.; A. L. Luce, 
secretary. 

Monterey Parlor, N. S. G. W., No. 75, 
meets on second and fourth Wednesdays of 
each month. Alex. Underwood, president; 
Abe Gunzendorfer, secretary. 

Monterey Lodge, No. 217, F. & A. M., 
meets Saturday evening, on or before the full 
moon. T. G. Lambert, master; W. Craw- 
ford, secretary. 

Seaside Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 109, 
I. O. O. F., meets second and fourth Tues- 
days of each month. Mrs. J. D. Rich, N. G.; 
Miss Clara Arendt, secretary. 

Monterey Lodge, No. 98, A. O. U. W., 
meets every Tuesday evening, at Masonic 
Hall. Ernest Michaelis, M. W. ; W. J. Towle, 
secretary. 

Monterey Chapter. No. 68, O. E. S., meets 



on first and third Wednesdays of each month. 
William Sutton, secretary. 

Monterey Council, No. 126, Order of 
Chosen Friends, meets first and third Friday 
evenings of every month, at 8 o'clock. Joseph 
Schulte, Jr., C. C; A. L. Luce, secretary. 

Del Monte Lodge, No. 357, L O. G. T., 
meets every Monday evening at 8 o'clock, in 
Progress Hall, Pacific Grove. R. G. Mitchell, 
L. D. 

Court Del Monte, No. 7759, A. 0. F. of A., 
meets first and third Wednesdays, in Odd 
Fellows' Hall, Monterey. James P. Dwyer, 
chief ranger; F. M. Boughton, financial 
secretary. 

THE JUNIPEKO SEEKA MONUMENT. 

In 1891, Mrs. Stanford, wife of Senator 
Stanford, caused a granite monument to be 
erected on an eminence fronting the bay of 
Monterey, and close by that spot where Friar 
Junipero Serra first landed and said mass, 
June 3, 1770. Tlie monument consists of a 
single massive block of gray granite, repre- 
senting a life-size statue of Padre Junipero, 
in the act of landing, with one foot standing in 
the small boat, and the other stepping on the 
shelving rocky shore. A large cross, ready 
to be erected as soon as the landing is made, 
lies in the boat, and lengthwise with same, on 
which is inscribed: "June 3, 1770." The 
statue represents Father Junipero in full 
canonicals, with right hand held up in moni- 
tory gesture, and left hand clasping Bible to 
left breast, the book marked " Scripta " and 
"Serra" in small letters with cross on book; 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



at left side, a rosary and cross with crucified 
Christ. 

The monument, in plain, durable granite, 
is in excellent taste throughout. The simple, 
but exceedingly appropriate design; the seri- 
ous, noble features; the shaven crown; the 
erect form and earnest mein, — all impress the 
beholder profoundly. Those who have read 
the story of the great pioneer missionary's 
life and labors on this coast, will concede that 
he has been worthily and appropriately repre- 
sented in this granite block. Back of the 
monument and pn a higher hill, are the old 
earthworks and the ruins of the fort, used by 
the United States troops in 1846 — and per- 
haps by the Californians before that time, as 
the hill commands the bay perfectly. The 
north (polished) face of the monument bears 
the following inscription, cut in capital let- 
ters, into the granite: 

"Here June 3, 1770, landed Very Rev. 
Father Junipero Serra, O. S. F., and founded 
the following missions: San Diego, July 16, 
1769; San Ciirlos Monterey, June 3, 1770; 
San Antonio de Padua, July 14, 1771; San 
Gabriel, September 8, 1771; San Luis Obispo, 
September 1, 1772; San Francisco de los 
Dolores, October 9, 1776; S. Juan Capi- 
strano, November 1, 1776; Santa Clara, Janu- 
ary 18, 1777; S. Buenaventura, March 21, 
1782; and died August 28, 1784, in S. Car- 
los Mission, Carmelo valley. 

As the Lord liveth, even what my God saith will I 
speak. — II. Chron. 18th chap., 13th verse. 

"This monument erectedby Jane L. Stan- 
ford, in the year 1891, in memory of Father 
Junipero Serra. A philantiiropist seeking 



the welfare of the humblest. A hero daring 
and ready to sacrifice himself for the good of 
his fellow-beings. A faithful servant of his 
Master." 

CHAPTER XVII. 

MUNICIPAL. 

fHE following is a list of the municipal 
oflicers of Monterey for 1892: 

ID. Rodrick, Chairman. 
M. T. Little, H. Prinz, 
T. J. Field. 

Clerk and Assessor S. J. Duckworth 

Treasurer J. M. Laporte 

Recorder A. Westfall 

Marshal A. Pinto 

Engineer W. C. Little 

The Monterey Electric Light and Develop- 
ment Company was incorporated March 10, 
1891, with the following directors: B. V. 
Sargent, S. H. Smith, Frank R. Day, E. M. 
Carver, J. W. Bagley, A. A. Manuel, Chas. 
R. Few. OfiScers: President, B. V. Sargent; 
secretary, Charles R. Few; treasurer, E. M. 
Carver; attorney, R. H. Willey; manager, 
Frank R. Day. Capital stock, $25,000; paid 
up, $5,500. 

The plant is first class; the company has 
just bought ground and erected a new build- 
ing in the central part of town, and put in 
boiler and equipment for furnishing its own 
steam power. The lights are Edison's in- 
candescent. It runs about 250 at an average 
of $1.25 per light per month. 

There are two newspapers pul^lished in the 
city of Monterey: The New Era, now in its 
second volume, published by William Kay; 
and the Monterey Cypress, in its fourth 
volume, published by H. L. Bradford. 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



ilOXTEKET CITV SCHOOLS. 

Monterey city maintains excellent public 
schools. For a considerable number of 
years prior to 1892, the classes of the cen- 
tral school were taught in the historic build- 
ing, '• Colton Hall." But when more room 
was needed, the proposal to build on a part of 
the lot, which would have involved a demo- 
lition of that venerable pile, there was a 
general protest by the citizens, to their credit 
be it said, against the destruction of all or of 
any portion of a building around which so 
many interesting historical associations cen- 
ter; and a fund of §1,800, to which one 
citizen contributed $500, and several §200, 
and $100 each, was raised, and an eligible 
lot in another locality was purchased, on 
which a fine two-story, nine-class building 
has been erected, at a cost of $17,000. The 
new schoolhouse was commenced in Decem- 
ber, 1891, and finished in July, 1892. Prof. 
James T. Stockdale has been for a number 
of years the etficient principal of the Mon- 
terey city schools. He has, since commence- 
ment of the present school year, eight 
assistant teachers. A small high-school class 
has been started. A ten months' school is 
maintained. The current income of the dis- 
trict is about $7,000 annually. The trustees 
contemplate erecting two other schoolhouses, 
one at Oak Grove and the other at New 
Monterey, to accommodate the children of 
those respective localities. 

The first public library ever established 
in California is now in possession of the 



Monterey school district; this valuable col- 
lection is kept in the new school building, 
where it may be freely consulted by the 
student of history. 

By the school census report there were, in 
the district, at the close of the school year, 
June 30, 1892, three schoolhouses, eight 
classes (three grammar and five primary) and 
eight teachers (one male and seven females) 
and 569 census children, between five and 
seventeen, as follows: White, boys, 272; 
girls, 287 — 559; Mongol, boj's, 5; girls, 5 — • 
10; total 569; number of children under 
five, 156; total under seventeen, all native 
born, 725; number of pupils enrolled in 
each grade, high, 4; grammar, 118; primary, 
280; total 402. 

Total receipts from State, county and city, 
$26,973.17; total expenditures, salaries, sites, 
buildings and furnishings, 823,757.84; bal- 
ance June 30, 1892, $3,215.33. 

Total value of school property, §27,500; 
bonded debt, §20,000; number of volumes, 
including first public library in California, 
2,000. 

The California State Savings Bank, of 
Monterey, was organized March 17, 1890, 
with capital subscribed, $500,000; paid in, 
§25,000. J. B. S. Maltby, president; H. 
Priuz, vice-president; E. M. Carver, cashier; 
W. W. James, assistant cashier. Directors: 
J. B. S. Maltby, E. M. Carver, Felipe Gomez, 
H. Prinz, M. Malarin. 

The Bank of Monterey: Capital stock, 
§100,000. Directors: Jesse D. Carr, presi. 



84 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 




dent, T. J. Field, vice-president, B. V. Sar- 
gent, F. Doud, Sr., M. Malarin. 

There are two State banks at Pacitic Grove. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

WHAIING AT MONTEREY. 

? HALING was first commenced as a 
regular industry in Monterey bay in 
the year 1854, by two joint stock 
companies of about twenty-one men each, 
mostly Portuguese; the captain of one com- 
pany was a Portuguese, and of the other was 
J. P. Davenport, from Cape Cod, Massachu- 
setts. These companies were successful, and 
kept up the business till 1865, when the two 
consolidated into one company, and Captain 
T. G. Lambert, from Martha's Vineyard, took 
charge of the consolidated business. Within 
the first four months the company landed 
$31,000 worth of oil and bone on the beach 
at Monterey. 

The season for catching the California gray 
whales usually began about December 1 and 
ended April 1; that is, during a plortion of 
that period, to-wit, from the 1st of December 
to the 1st of February, these whales were 
passing south to their breeding grounds, in 
the warm, protected bays iu the Gulf of Cali- 
fornia, and oflF the coast of Mexico; and from 
about February 1 till April 1 they were 
passing north to their summer feeding 
grounds in the Arctic ocean; that is, they 
were hunted from the bay of Monterey, both 
whilst passing south and on their return 
north again. 



It is asserted by old whalers, who claim to 
know, that the California gray whales take 
no food whatever, from the time they leave 
the Arctic ocean till they return thither; 
during which time, their blubber, or the oil 
from their blubber, is exhausted to the full 
amount of fifty per cent. This statement ap- 
plies only to the California gray. The hump- 
back whale partakes of food at all seasons; 
and if he cannot find it on the California 
coast, he goes to the Alaskan coast, or to 
wherever food can be found. 

The California grays, whilst on their way 
south (i. e., from December 1 to February 
1), will average about fifty barrels of oil each; 
whilst on their northern passage they will 
average only about twenty-five barrels. From 
the fact that they were persistently hunted 
for many years at their breeding grounds, 
this species has become nearly extinct. 

During the time the females are nursing 
their young in Southern waters, they will de- 
fend them with all the ferocity of wild beasts. 

An old whaling captain once had four boats 
smashed in Magdalena bay, Lower Califor- 
nia, by a female whale, which was defending 
her young; and each time he and his men 
had to swim to other boats; but with the fifth 
boat he finally got her. 

The hump-back whales are to be found in 
all the waters of the Pacific coast, from Cape 
Horn to Behring straits, and their numbers 
are apparently inexhaustible. The yield of 
oil of these whales varies greatly, or from, 
say, five to one hundred and forty barrels 
each. This fact, and the fact that they range 



MONTE RE Y CO UNT Y. 



m 



over wide fields, or wherever they can find 
food, render the husiness of hunting them 
uncertain. 

The right whale, which produces the bone 
of commerce, is found on the coast of Cali- 
fornia, and some of this species have been 
captured on the coast, which produced 150 
ban-els of oil, and 1,500 pounds of bone each. 

Whales caught within twenty-five miles of 
Monterey were usually towed to that port, 
where they were tried out on shore. 

Whaling as a regular business at Monterey 
which from many causes gradually became 
unprofitable, was finally abandoned about the 
year 1888. Much of the foregoing informa- 
tion is derived from the veteran Captain T. 
G. Lambert, who has given over the fascinat- 
ing pursuit of hunting the great monsters of 
the deep, and become a permanent and pros- 
perous resident of Monterey. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

TUB CLIMATE OF MONTEREY THE DRY, 

COOL AIR. 

fO L D, with moisture, leads to pulmo- 
nary diseases; heat, with moisture, leads 
to malarial fevers; and pulmonary and 
malarial afi'ections are two of the main classes 
of mortal diseases. From both of these, 
Monterey is comparatively free. The deaths 
for each one thousand inhabitants in several 
cities of the United States are as follows: 

COMPARATIVE DEATH RATES. 

New Orleans 37 

New York 29 



Baltimore 27 

Philadelphia 25 

Chicago '. 24 

San Francisco 21 

St. Louis 21 

Los Angeles 13 

San Diego 13 

Monterey 10 

The healthfulness of Monterey is simply 
unquestionable, and is second to no place in 
the world. 

MEAN SUMMER AND WINTER TEMPERATURES. 

Observations kept by priests and army 
officers for more than a century have shown 
that in some years the mean of summer and 
winter temperatures have ranged from 6° to 
18° apart, and many years only 9° and 10°. 
The following carefully prepared table pre- 
sents the mean temperature of Monterey com- 
pared with that of several other health resorts 
throughout the world. 



PLACE. 



JAN. 



JDLY DIPF. LATITDDB 

degs. degs. degs. degs. min. 

Monterey, California, 52 58 6 36 3G 

San Francisco, " 49 57 8 37 48 

Los Angeles, " 55 G7 12 34 04 

Santa Barbara " 56 66 10 34 24 

San Diego " 57 65 8 32 41 

Santa Monica " 45 65 7 34 00 

Sacramento " 45 73 38 38 84 

Stockton " 49 72 23 37 56 

Vallejo " 48 67 19 38 05 

Fort Yuma " 56 92 36 32 43 

Cincinnati 30 74 44 39 06 

New York 31 77 46 40 37 

New Orleans 55 82 27 29 57 

Naples 46 76 30 40 52 

Honolulu 71 77 6 21 16 

Funchal 60 70 10 32 38 

Mentone 40 73 33 43 71 

Genoa 46 77 31 44 24 

City of Mexico 53 63 11 19 26 



MONTE RET COUNTY. 



PI.ACK JAN. JULY DIFF. LATITUDE 

degs degs. degs. de6s. min. 
Jacksonville, Florida 5S 80 22 30 50 

St. Augustine 59 ' 77 18 30 05 

It will bo seen by this table that the bay 
of Monterey has but one rival (Eonolulu), 
in equability of temperature. It must be 
understood, however, that there is a great 
deal of hot, disagreeable weather on the Sand- 
wich Islands, and a multiplicity of draw- 
backs which Monterey does not possess. 
There are seldom any high, cold winds at and 
around Monterey, and never any hot ones. 
There is more or less foggy weather in the 
spring months, as there is all along the coast, 
and occasionally foggy mornings in the sum- 
mer. The latter, however, are really agree- 
able, as they infuse new life and freshness 
into tree, and shrub, and flower, and are not 
detrimental in their influences upon human 
beings at that season of the year. The fol- 
lowing table shows the winter temperature 
for 1884 '-85 '-86: 

December, 1884 52°01 

January, 1884 49°51 

February, 1884 50°60 

December, 1885 54°29 

January, 1885 49°90 

February, 1885 52°46 

December, 1886 51°70 

January, 1886 52°10 

February, 1886 54°70 

During the warm season or summer months, 
from May to October, the mercury seldom 
rises to 65°, as the heat from the valleys and 
mountain sides is tempered by cooling winds 
from the ocean between meridian and sunset, 
and by breezes from the mountain gaps during 
the night. During what may be termed the 



winter months 50° will mark, on an average, 
the mean temperature, and water is seldom 
congealed. 

What is generally known as the rainy 
season commences in November, and lasts 
three or four months. Many people who 
have never visited California erroneously 
imagine that during the " wet season " rain 
never ceases to descend. This popular error 
is corrected by glancing at weather tables, 
which show that during the wet season in 
California there is not only less rain, but 
more fair and beautiful days than in that por- 
tion of the United States between the Missis- 
sippi river and the Atlantic ocean during the 
same time. The following table represents the 
average annual rainfall in inches in Mentone 
St. Paul, St. Augustine (Florida), and also in 
San Diego, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and 
Monterey; 

San Diego 10 inches 

Santa Barbara 15 " 

St. Augustine 55 " 

St. Paul 30 " 

Mentone 23 " 

Los Angeles 18 " 

Monterey 11 " 

Monterey's equable tempekatuke 
throughout the year. 

The following carefully prepared table pre- 
sents the maximum, minimum and mean tem- 
perature of Monterey, from meteorological 
observations, taken at Hotel del Monte, from 
January, 1882, to December, 1886: 



MO ST ERE Y COUNTY. 



87 



MONTHS. 


M EAN Temperature. 


Pemp 


. FOB 


Month 


Rain 


1880. 


















7 A. M. 


2 P.M. 


9 P.M. 


Max 


Min. 


Mean. 


Fall. 


January 


44.87 


60.30 


51.20 


70 


30 


.53.10 


3 09 


1882. 
















February 


46.70 


64.10 


53.40 


75 


39 


54.70 


1.14 


January 


40.32 


54.58 


45.64 


57 


38 


46.75 


1.50 


March 


45.40 


00.90 


50.00 


72 


33 


52.10 


2.52 


February 


44.10 


54.25 


46.71 


58 


41 


51.52 


2.53 


April 


51.20 


63.20 


53.80 


70 


42 


56.10 


3.39 


March 


51.29 


60.48 


51.35 


00 


49 


54.29 


5.64 


May 


50.50 


66.50 


50.70 


73 


50 


59.90 


.08 


April 


53.60 


61.33 


52.66 


63 


53 


57.78 


1.57 


June 


50.70 


65.90 


57.00 


78 


51 


59.90 




May 


57.58 


65.74 


57.58 


06 


55 


60.51 




July 


57.70 


67,00 


57.80 


76 


55 


60.80 




June 


59.97 


68.63 


60.73 


67 


60 


63.24 




August 


55.60 


07.70 


57.00 


79 


54 


60.13 




July 


61.96 


69.16 


63.00 


68 


63 


65.38 




September 


54.00 


06.70 


50.30 


79 


47 


58.90 




August 


60.41 


73.41 


61.16 


09 


00 


03.82 




October 


47.40 


04.00 


51.60 


72 


38 


54.55 


70 


September 


59,60 


66.96 


59.33 


;3 


00 


63.26 


.22 


November 


41.20 


63.10 


48.30 


71 


33 


50.90 


.78 


October 


55.41 


65.23 


55.29 


64 


52 


.58.64 


1.67 


December 


46.80 


59.80 


48.50 


70 


36 


51.70 


.60 


November 
December 


48.90 
46.74 


59.38 
61.74 


49.03 
50.92 


61 
58 


46 

40 


52.58 
53.13 


1.03 
.80 


The tbl 


owing 


table 


jresents the maximum. 


1883. 
















minimum 


and mean temperature 


of 


Vlonterey, 


January 
February 


39.67 
42.17 


59.00 
60.75 


46.16 
49.50 


70 
82 


27 
39 


48.27 
50.80 


2.00 
2.22 


from meteorolog 


cal observation 


3 taken at Ho- 


March 


51.29 


62.58 


54.35 


84 


43 


50.04 


5.68 


tel del Monte, f 


roni January, 


1888, to 


De- 


April 
May 


54.36 
56.80 


62.80 
66.54 


53.33 
56.04 


68 

87 


40 
50 


56.83 
59.99 


1.42 
1.32 


cember, 1891: 














June 


59.76 


70.06 


59.96 


87 


56 


03.20 


.10 


MONTHS. 


Meas Tempebatcre. Temp. 


FOB 


Month. 


Eain 


July 


59.64 


69.64 


59.80 


84 


55 


03.03 






T A.M. 


2 P.M. 


9 P.M. 


Max 


Mln 


Mean. 


FALL. 


August 


56.74 


67.83 


58.70 


75 


50 


61.09 




1888. 
















September 


57.56 


70.36 


61.06 


85 


48 


62.99 


.19 


January 


43,60 


56.50 


48.90 


63 


20 


49.70 


3.95 


October 


49.93 


63.54 


54.48 


73 


37 


55.98 


.71 


February 


50.20 


61.60 


53.50 


72 


43 


54.80 


1.09 


November 


44.36 


59.60 


50.20 


71 


33 


51.38 


.39 


March 


50.60 


59.80 


53.30 


06 


43 


54.60 


3.29 


December 


43.67 


60.67 


49.09 


73 


33 


50.81 


1.16 


April 


52.70 


64.00 


55.30 


77 


47 


57,50 


.33 


1884. 
















May 


56.20 


65.20 


58.70 


72 


53 


60.00 


.81 


January 

February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 


41.71 
43.34 
49.67 
53.53 
55.70 
58.16 
56.65 


57.29 
59.48 
60.29 
62.46 
65.35 
55.33 
67.23 


49.54 
49.00 
53.58 
54.86 
58.00 
59.90 
59.16 


64 

74 
70 
71 
78 
69 
76 


31 
28 
40 
45 
50 
56 
53 


49.51 
50.00 
54.51 
56.95 
59.68 
61.13 
61.01 


3 00 
5.34 
0.08 
3.75 
.30 
1.80 


June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 


60.90 
60,30 
57.80 
57.90 
5370 
51.00 
49.00 


71.40 
71.00 
69.20 
68.80 
67.80 
64.30 
63,80 


02.10 
62.00 
62.30 
60.90 
57.00 
56.50 
53.70 


78 
90 
75 
74 
75 
71 
70 


58 
58 
56 
54 
44 
31 
40 


64 87 
62,53 
63.10 
6'J.50 
59.50 
57.30 
55.C0 


.65 
1.76 


August 


55.35 


68.19 


59.77 


77 


50 


61.11 


.07 


1889. 
















September 


52.50 


65.00 


55.06 


77 


44 


57.52 


.03 


January 


40.90 


63.40 


46.00 


70 


29 


48.14 


.81 


October 


49.03 


61.29 


52.80 


77 


40 


54.39 


1.81 


February 


44.82 


63.18 


51-79 


73 


33 


53,30 


.94 


November 


45.26 


61.43 


50.00 


71 


40 


52.23 


.30 


March 


53.30 


65.50 


57.30 


79 


45 


58.70 


3.58 


December 


45.29 


60.23 


50.51 


68 


30 


52.01 


5.33 


April 


56.70 


66.00 


58.50 


70 


52 


60.60 


1.15 


1885. 
















May 


56 60 


64.40 


.-,9.00 


68 


50 


60.00 


1.23 


January 

February 

March 

April 

May 

Jttne 

July 


43.43 
45.93 
49.09 
54.73 
55.48 
56.27 
58.65 


58.74 
61.29 
64.51 
64.93 
60.09 
64.90 
68.61 


47.55 
50.18 
54.23 
5563 
56.48 
57.03 
00.20 


65 

08 
81 
76 
77 
69 
75 


35 
35 
41 
43 
52 
53 
54 


49.90 
52.46 
55.95 
58.43 
59.35 
59.40 
62.50 


1.33 
.09 
.40 

1.70 
.20 
.03 


June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 


01.80 
64.30 
58.00 
57.40 
56.70 
51.00 
49.30 


71.80 
73.50 
74,30 
70.70 
68.30 
66.00 
57.90 


62.80 
63.90 
55.20 
59.00 
59.80 
86.40 
51.70 


98 
78 
78 
83 
85 
75 
04 


54 
60 
50 
48 
50 
44 
35 


65.50 
07.20 
03.50 
02.60 
61.60 
57.80 
53.00 


4.28 
1.63 
1.54 


August 


56.29 


66.68 


58.00 


76 


53 


60.31 




1890. 
















September 


53.03 


66 50 


57.77 


73 


44 


59.10 




January 


43.60 


53.50 


46.70 


62 


39 


47.60 


7.67 


October 


51.71 


06.94 


55.74 


72 


41 


58.13 




February 


42.10 


56.70 


47.70 


68 


28 


48.70 


2.67 


November 


51.37 


63.90 


55.33 


74 


38 


56.52 


0.05 


March 


47.50 


60.90 


51.70 


70 


35 


53.40 


.83 


December 


45.55 


63.39 


53.94 


73 


35 


54.29 


1.73 


April 


49.80 


63.20 


53.10 


80 


42 


54.70 


.34 



MONTE BET COUNTY. 



May 


57.80 


68.10 


56.10 


80 


47 


59.70 


.37 


June 


55.00 


68.20 


55.30 


80 


48 


59.50 




July 


55.50 


69.00 


56.00 


84 


50 


00.30 




August 


57.90 


70.30 


56.30 


82 


49 


61.51 




September 


55.00 


86.80 


75..59 


83 


47 


59.50 


.10 


October 


48.50 


69.60 


54.60 


87 


38 


57.60 




November 


44.30 


68..50 


.53.40 


79 


37 


55.40 


1.33 


December 


45.30 


63.20 


50.70 


69 


35 


53.10 


3.66 


1891. 
















January 


44.40 


59.70 


50.50 


71 


30 


5150 


1.06 


February 


45.96 


60.35 


50.82 


65 


32 


52.80 


3.68 


March 


51.80 


63.00 


54.20 


67 


43 


56.30 


.95 


April 


52.90 


63.30 


5670 


70 


40 


65.00 


3.36 


May 


50.50 


65.50 


61.00 


76 


50 


60.10 


.09 


June 


59.10 


75.20 


63.20 


96 


49 


65.50 


.08 


July 


55.30 


71.40 


57.70 


86 


53 


61.40 




August 


57.70 


73.90 


58.50 


90 


52 


63.40 




September 


58.40 


73 90 


63.30 


83 


50 


65.20 


.11 


October 


53.40 


68.10 


57.80 


81 


40 


59.40 


.03 


November 


46.00 


66.70 


50.70 


1h 


40 


54..50 


.19 


December 


38.00 


56.00 


45.50 


63 


26 


48.00 


4.73 



CHAPTER XX. 



THE COUNTY. 



^ONTEREY COUNTY constitutes one 
judical district. Hon. N. A. Dorn 
is the present superior judge of this 
district, to which position he was elected in 
1890, for the term of six years. He was pre- 
ceded in that office by Hon. John K. Alex- 
ander. The following is a list of attorneys of 
Monterey county: W. A. Kearney, S. F. Geil, 
J. K. Alexander, W. M. R. Parker, C. F. 
Lacey, J. J. Cullman, N. G. Wyatt, P. E. 
Zabola, B. V. Sargent, W. H. Webb, G. A. 
Daugherty, J. A. AYall, W. M. Pense, Chas. 
E. ISougues, Fred. Sherwood, G. W. Road- 
house, of Salinas city; Thos. Renison, of 
Gonzales; and W. H. Willey and Mr. Brad- 
ford of Monterey. 

The following are the county officers for 
1892: Assemblyman, Claude Lacey; sheriff, 



J. A. Horton, county clerk, Thos. Riordan; 
treasurer, U. Hartnell; auditor, W. T. Dun- 
can; recorder, J. R. Robinson; tax col- 
lector, A. J. McCullom; assessor, W. A. 
Anderson; district attorney, B. V. Sargent, 
Jr.; coroner and pal)lic administrator, J. 
Parker; superintendent of Schools, Job Wood, 
Jr.; surveyor, J. H. Garber. supervisors: 
H. Samuels, chairman, of Salinas; J. B. Cas- 
tro, Castroville; T. J. Field, Monterey; A. 
J. Copley, Kings City; C. T. Romie, Soledad. 

The Monterey County Agricultural As- 
sociation, District No. 7, of the State, was 
organized in 1874. It was reorganized under 
the new State law, in 1883. Its annual fairs 
are held at Sherwood Park, Salinas city. 

The Pacitic Coast Live Stock Owners' 
Mutual Protective Association was incorpor- 
ated as a Monterey county institution, March 
12, 1890. It is located at Monterey city. 
Its objects are the suppression and preven- 
tion of the spread of contagious diseases, etc. 
Its officers are: Hon. B. V. Sargent, presi- 
dent; E. Ingram, vice-president; W. C. 
Little, actuary; R. H. Willey, attorney; 
C. R. Few, secretary; M. M. Gragg, busi- 
ness manager; F. R. Day, general manager. 

MONTEREY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

There are ninety-three school districts in 
Monterey county. Job Wood, Jr., is the 
county superintendent. The annual salary 
of this office is $1,650. From the superin- 
tendent's report for the year commencing 
July 1, 1891, and ending June 30, 1892, the 
following statistics are extracted. The school 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



census was taken May 15 — 31. Tiie total 
number of census children between the ages 
of five and seventeen years, in tlie county, 
was 4,986. Of these, 4,921 were white, to 
wit, 2,541 boys and 2,380 girls. There were 
12 negroes, 3 boys and 9 girls; and two In- 
dian boys; and 51 (24 boys and 27 girls) na- 
tive born Mongolians or Chinese. 

Total census, children under 5 years: 
White, 1,909; negro, 6; Mongolian, 14; 
total 1,929. Number of children between 5 
and 17, who have attended school, 3,956; 
number children between 5 and 17 who liave 
attended only private school, 86; number chil- 
dren between 5 and 17 who have not attended 
school, 944. Of these latter, two were negro 
and fifty-one were Mongolian children. 

Nativity of children, native born, 6,797; 
foreign born, 118; total, 6,915. 

Number schools or classes employing one 
teacher each, 124; number schools of each 
grade, high 1; grammar 41; primary, 82 ; 
total, 124. 

Number pupils enrolled, boys, 2,169; girls 
1,994: total enrolled, 4,168; average number 
belonging, 2,813; average daily attendance, 
2,628; percentage of attendance on average, 
number belonging, 93. 

High school, number pupils enrolled, 85; 
grammar school, number pupils enrolled, 
846; Primary school, number pupils enrolled 
3,232; total enrolled, 4,163. 

Average number of months schools were 
maintained 8.6; number male teachers, 21; 
female, 103; total, 124; average monthly 
wages of male teachers, $76; average monthly 



wages of female teachers, $62.86; number 
teachers holding high-school certificates, 5; 
number teachers holding first grade or gram- 
mar certificates 61; nutnber teachers iiolding 
second grade or primary certificates, 58; 
number teachers who attend county institute, 
124; average monthly^salary of teachers, $65; 
total amount paid teachers' salaries for year, 
$68,771.71; total amount paid rent, repairs, 
fuel, contingent expenses, $8,845.53; total 
amount paid school libraries, $2,311.73; total 
amount paid school apparatus, $1,582.49 ; total 
current expenses, $81,011.46; amount paid 
for sites, buildings and school furnishing, 
$24,791.80; total expenditures for school 
year, $105,803.26. 

Receipts: Balance on hand July 1, 1891, 
121,437.10; from State, including library 
fund, $40,314.73; from county, $36,541.00; 
from city or district taxes, $26,609.06; from 
subscriptions and miscellaneous sources, $2,- 
070.75; total $126,972.64; balance close 
school year, June 30, 1892, $21,169.38. 

Value school lots, houses aud furnishings, 
$141,950; value school libraries, $17,970; 
value school apparatus, $6,825; total value 
school property, $166,745; number school 
houses in county, 90; new districts organized, 
60; number volumes in school libraries, 18,- 
208; amount bonded or other indebtedness of 
districts, $89,500. 

The annual teachers' institute \vas held at 
Salinas, September 21-25, 1891. Thirty- 
live teachers of the county are graduates of 
the California State Normal School, and nine 



MONTE RET COUNT T. 



are g;raduates of other State normal scliools 
and eis^liteen hold life diplomas. 

According to the decennial census of 1890, 
the population of Monterey county was then 
18,637. Of this number there were: Whites, 
16,821; Chinese, 1,653; Indians, 57; Ne- 
groes, 105; Japanese, 1. 

Present estimated population: Children un- 
der 17, 6,915 x3|=24,202. 

The vote of Monterey county at the guber- 
natorial election of 1890 was as follows; 
Markham, 1,956; Pond, 1,834; Bidwell, 113; 
total, 3,903. 

The courthouse of Monterey county was 
erected at a cost for building, grounds and 
furnishing of S60,000, in 1878, from pro- 
ceeds of bonds voted the same year. In 1888, 
bonds were issued to the amount of §150,000 
for the purpose of building bridges. Of these 
latter, §40,000 have already been paid off. 

The county hospital located one and one- 
half miles from Salinas, was built in 1886 at 
a cost of about 810,000. The land, some 
sixty-two acres, cost $5,000. The hospital 
has accommodations for seventy-five persons. 
The county physician is Dr. S. M. Archer, 
who has filled this position some fifteen 
years. 

The Monterey Agricultural Association for 
District No. 7, has its headquarters at Sal- 
inas. Jesse D. Carr is president, and J. J. 
Keeley is secretary. It has held fairs an- 
nually during the last sixteen years. 



COUNTY ASSESSMENT. 

1891. — Value real estate and impro'ments, $14,38o,120 

Personal property 2,142,415 

Railroads 1,284,949 

County rate, $1.50. Total . . . ij;l7,712,484 

1893.— Value real estate and impro'ments, §14,722,787 

Value personal property 2,202,785 

Total $16,925,572 

Railroads 1,341,922 

Total $18,367,494 

County rate, 11.25 per $100. State rate, 43.04 
1893. — Number acres land assessed in M. Co., 1,109,394 
1891. — Number acres land assessed in M. Co., 1,102,084 

By the Act of the Legislature of March 11, 
1891, the Sixth Congressional District was 
constituted as follows: Santa Cruz, Santa 
Barbara, Monterey, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, 
and Los Angeles counties. 

Seventh District. — Stanislaus, Kern, Mer- 
ced, Orange, San Benito, San Bernardino, Tu- 
lare, Fresno, and San Diego counties. 

State Senatorial Districts, forty. 

Thirty-third: Monterey and San Benito 
counties. 

Twenty-ninth: Santa Cruz and San Mateo 
counties. 

Assembly Districts, eighty. 

Fifty-second: San Mateo county. 

Fifty-third: Santa Cruz countj. 

Fifty-ninth: Merced county, San Benito 
county (part). 

Sixtieth: San Benito county (part). 

Sixty-first: Monterey county. 

SALINAS VALLEY. 

The valleys and foothills of Monterey 
county, which in early times had been de- 
voted to stock-raising, have been gradually 
changed into a grain and fruit growing re- 



MONTEREY VOUNTY. 



91 



gion. The rich and extensive salinas valley 
in particular, has been utilized very profit- 
ably for agricultural and horticultural pur- 
suits, and latterly also in the culture of the 
sugar beet. In 1874 the narrow-gauge rail- 
road was built, connecting the town or bay of 
Monterey with Salinas city. Later, the South- 
ern Pacific Company built its road, connect- 
ing various parts of the county with its 
general system. Although there are still 
many big ranches in Monterey county, yet 
gratifying progress has been made in the 
building up of homes by industrious and 
prosperous settlers. There has been a steady 
increase in population and wealth during the 
last twenty-five years. 

Less than thirty years ago Salinas valley 
was mostly an open plain, with hardly a 
house, a fence or a corral in sight throughout 
its entire area; now numerous settlements, 
and occasionally cities, dot its beautiful land- 
scape. The writer of these lines well remem- 
bers riding in the stage between Natividad 
and Monterey in the '60s, and stopping at 
the Half-way Plouse, or at Trescony's, where 
now stands the Abbott House, in the center 
of Salinas city. The county seat remained 
at Monterey till 1872. The gradual develpp- 
ment of other portions of the county changed 
the center of population, and a movement 
was made to change the county seat to Sali- 
nas, which, however, was vigorously opposed. 
The matter was finally submitted to a vote of 
the people, :N"ovember 6, 1872, the day of 
|;he presidential election. The vote resulted: 



1,436 in favor of Salinas city, and 488 for 
Monterey. 

The county seat was transferred to Sali- 
nas city, its present location, the following 
February. 

LIGHTHOUSES POINT TINOS LIGHT. 

The Twelfth Lighthouse District of the 
United States extends from the southern 
boundary of California to the southern bound- 
ary of Oregon. Inspector (1891) Thomas 
Perry, lieutenant-commander United States 
Navy, San Francisco; engineer, William H. 
Heur, major of engineers. United States 
Army, San Francisco. (See United States 
" Official List of Lights and Fog Signals on 
the Pacific Coast, corrected to January 1, 
1891.") 

Point Pinos Lighthouse is one of the 
oldest stations on the coast: it was first ex^ 
hibited PWn-uary 5, 1855. It is what is 
known as a "fixed light," i. e., it does not 
revolve and flash. 

It is a white light of the third order, of 
ninety -candle power, and is visible at a dis- 
tance of fifteen and one-fourth nautical miles. 

Its location is in latitude N. 36° 37' 55", 
and in longitude W. 121° 56' 02"; and on 
the south side of entrance to the harbor of 
Monterey, height of light from sea level, 
ninety-one feet. 

The light is supplemented by a whistling 
buoy of the first class, audible for a distance 
of six miles. 

The light is surrounded by a catoptric lens 
of the third order. 



93 



MONTE RET COUNTY. 



Point Pinus light is a one-keeper show 
station. 

The first keeper was Charles Layton, who 
was killed; and his wife applied for and 
Biicceeded to his position. Her second hus- 
band, George C. Harris, was her successor. 
The next keeper was Andrew Wasson. Allen 
T. Luce was appointed September 21, 1871, 
and he has served continuously till the present 
time. 

POINT S0E LIGHT, 

twenty-one miles soutii of Point Pinos, is a 
light of the first order, visible twenty-three 
and one-fourth nautical miles. It is a white 
light, alternated with red flashes every fifteen 
seconds. Altitude above sea level, 272 feet. 
This is a four-keeper station, and was estab- 
lished in 1889. It has a twelve-inch steam 
fog signal, with five-second blasts at inter- 
vals of thirty-five seconds. 

CHAPTER XXL 

SALINAS CITY. 

I^JALINAS city, situated as it is, in the 
1^1 midst of a splendid farming country, is 
^ a prosperous, modern American city. 
Its transportation facilities are excellent, its 
climate is healthful, making it a very de- 
sirable place of residence; its people are 
enterprising, and as both the commercial 
business of the valley and the political busi- 
ness of the county center here, it has really 
become one of the most important cities in 
the county. According to the census of 
1890 its population was 2,339. 



From June 1, 1891, to June 1, 1892, there 
were shipped from Salinas station between 
8,000 and 9,000 tons of wheat, barley and 
oats. Owing to short rains in the early part 
of 1892, the secretary of the Salinas Board of 
Trade estimates that the crop of grain of 
1892 will not be much more than one-half of 
an average crop. There are five points at 
which the products of the valley may be 
shipped by water. 

The Salinas Milling Company, now con- 
solidated with The Sperry Flour Company of 
San Francisco, handles an enormous amount 
of grain annually, mostly the product of 
Monterey county. A brief account of this 
great corporation is of sufficient local in- 
terest to insert here. Eleven mill com- 
panies have combined — not in the form of a 
trust at all, they claim, — but by an actual 
transfer of ownership, — in one company, 
which has incorporated under the name of 
"The Sperry Flour Company," with a cap- 
ital stock of $10,000,000, which has issued 
paid-up stock to the amount of §5,840,000. 
Horace Davis, of San Francisco, is president 
of this company, and D. B. Moody, secretary. 
The total capacity of all the mills of this 
huge company is 6,000 barrels of flour daily, 
and its markets are the Pacific coasts of 
America and Asia, and the islands of the 
Pacific ocean. Its mills, each of which has 
a local manager, are located as follows: One 
mill at Stockton, capacity 1,500 barrels 
daily; 1 mill at Salinas, copacity 600 barrels 
daily; 1 mill at Hollister, capacity 400 bar- 
rels daily; 1 mill at Kings' City, capacity 250 



MONTE KEY COUNTY. 



93 



barrels daily; 1 mill at Paso Robles, capacity 
200 barrels daily; 1 mill at Marys ville; 1 mill 
at Gridley, Sacramento county; 2 mills at 
Sacramento city; 1 mill at San Francisco; 
1 mill at San Jose. 

V. D. Black is the managing director of 
the Salinas mill, which makes a brand of flour 
widely known as" Drifted Snow Flour.'* Its 
market is Monterey county, also the Pacific 
coast and islands. This is a full roller mill; 
it has twenty-four double sets of rollers. Its 
motive power is a 300-horse-power steam 
engine, the fuel used being the refuse from 
the Santa Cruz sawmills. The mill, which 
was erected in 1883, employs about thirty 
operatives. As it runs day and night (ex- 
cluding Sundays) it requires double sets of 
employes. In the year 1891, out of a little 
more than 300 workiilg days, it ran 292 days 
of twenty-four hours each. Its bill for sacks 
(all its flour is sacked) froiii July 1, 1891, to 
July 1, 1892, was |27,000. This mill con- 
sumes annually 25,000 tons of wheat, which 
it converts into flour, and about 5,000 tons 
of barley, which it rolls for feed purposes. It 
requires about $250,000 capital to run this 
business, including the amount irivested in 
the plant. The business ddne anilually by 
this oftice amounts to something like $1,000,- 
000; and that done by the Consolidated Cen- 
tral Company will probably amount to 
$1,000,000 per month. Six hundred barrels 
of flour, or twenty-four hours' run, require 
about eighty tons of wheat. Superintendent 
Black sells flour on thirty days' time, but 
buys wheat all along the railroad from Gilroy 



to its terminus, in San Luis Obispo county, 
for spot cash. 

The daily price of wheat is made, not by 
Mr. Black, nor by the Sperry Flour Company 
of San Francisco, but at the great centers of 
population in New York and in Europe. 
The boards of trade of the latter meet daily 
and fix the price for the day, according to 
demand and supply, and adjourn before the 
boards of New York and other Eastern cities 
of the United States meet, owing to the differ- 
ence in time. And the latter meet and fix 
the price, subject to the rate already estab- 
lished in the European markets the same day. 
Several hours later the San Francisco Board 
meets, and, with full knowledge of the state 
of the markets of the East and Europe, fixes 
the price for the day in San Francisco. This 
price is telegraphed in cypher to Mr. Black, 
who is then prepared to buy wheat of the 
farmers of Salinas valley intelligently, be- 
cause he knows what it is worth in other 
parts of the world, or whether the tendency, 
as compared with its price the previous day, 
is upward or downward, in the great centers 
of consumption, where in reality the price 
to a large extent is made. And thus this 
branch of the milling business, to wit: the 
buying of wheat is done on scientific princi- 
ples, just as the conversion of the wheat 
into flour, is, in similar fashion, done by 
means of the latest-improved scientific ma- 
chinery. And all this is better for the farmer 
than the haphazard way of buying without 
regard to the price in other parts of the world. 
And by these methods of doing business, the 



MONT EBB 7 COUNTY. 



ability of any local operators to bull or bear 
tlie market is confined within very narrow 
limitations. The level of Monterey bay is 
certainly steadied by its intimate connection 
with the universal sea. 

It is estimated that Monterey is one of the 
largest barley-producing counties in the State. 
Mr. Black placed the quantity of barley on 
hand in the various warehouses of the Salinas 
valley on the first day of October, 1891, at 
about 82,000 tons, and the total production 
for the year at 50,000 tons; and the produc- 
tion of wheat at 60,000 tons. The quantity 
of hay raised in the valley, over and above 
what is needed for home consumption, is 
also very large. 

Some portions of the valley are found to 
be admirably adapted to the growth of sugar 
beets; a narrow-gauge railroad has been run 
up the valley, from the Watson ville Sugar 
factory, some thirteen miles, thus stimulating 
beet farming along its line. A Mr. Graves 
has a 200-acre field of sugar beets, not far 
from Salinas city, for which, it is reported, 
he has been offered, and has refused, $10,000. 
He estimates that his crop will average be- 
tween twenty and forty tons of beets per acre. 

Fruit is beginning to be raised for profit 
in the valley, and without irrigation. 

There are two commercial banks in 
Salinas city. The Salinas City Bank was or- 
ganized in April, 1873. It? directors are: 
J, D. Carr, president; A. B. Jackson, acting 
president; Elisha Archer, J. H. McDougall, 
Thomas Kea; W. S. Johnson, cashier. The 
bank has a paid-up capital of $300,000, and 



a surplus of $95,000. Its sworn statement 
of June 30, 1892, showed: 

Assets. — Cash and due from bks $ 58,14:0.69 

Loans 570,451.11 

Eeal estate 25,714.33 

Expense 3,080.10 

S. F. bk stock 5,000.00 



$657,386.23 

Liabilities.— Capital stock .... .$300,000.00 
Due depositors... 242,576.29 
Profit and Loss. -. 95,000.00 
Unpaid dividends. 7,500.00 
Int., dis's and rents 12,137.44 
Suspense account. . 172.50 



$657,386.23 

The Monterey County Bank of Salinas city 
was incorporated October 17, 1890, with a 
subscribed capital stock of $200,000; paid-up 
capital, $120,000. Its directors are: Will- 
iam Vanderhurst, president; J. B. Iverson, 
vice-president; Luther Kodgers, cashier; R. 
L. Porter, assistant cashier and secretary; M. 
Lynn, J. H. McDougall, C. T. Romie, 
Francis Doud. Its semi-annual statement, 
June 30, 1892, showed: 

Assets. — Bank premises $ 18,100.00 

Loans 204,411.61 

Cash and due from bks 23,612.00 

Fur. and fi.xtures 1,900.00 

Ex. and taxes 7,287.96 

$255,261.57 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



95 



LiABiLiTtEs. — Capital paid in . . . $120,000.00 
Due depositors. ... 117,839.95 

Due banks 1,127.46 

Interest 14,908.98 

Rents and exch.: . . 1,385.18 



$255,261.57 

The officers of the Salinas Board of Trade, 
which was organized in 1887, and which has 
about fifty members, are as follows: Jesse D. 
Carrj president; William Vanderhurst, vice- 
president; W. H. Clark, secretary; Mark 
Meyer, treasurer. 

The following are the city officers: II. S. 
Ball, mayor; J. J. Wyatt, city attorney; G. 
S. Miller, treasurer; D. F. Davis, surveyor. 
Council: T. S. Mabel, William Tholke, Bt. 
Menke, J. J. Connor, P. Iverson stnd William 
Schmedel. 

Salinas is divided into three wards, with 
two councilinen representing each ward; 
The indebtedness of the city is about 120,- 
000. The city ta.v for 1802 is sfeventy-five 
cents on the $100, including twelity-five 
cents for schools. 

The post office of Salinas belongs td the 
third-class. The annual gross receipts of the 
office are $6,000. 

The various social and benevolent societies 
are well represented in Salinas. There are 
two lodges of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows: Alisal, No. 163, established in 
1869, with a present membership of 122; 
Fraternal, No. 276, organized in 1878, mem- 
bership sixty-five. There is also a Canton 
of Patriarchs Militant, and an enampment of 



over sixty members. Also a Rebekah Lodge, 
No. 42. The Masonic fraternity is repre- 
sented by Salinas Lodge, No. 204, organized 
in 1869, with a present membership of over 
100; and by the Salinas Chapter, No. 59, of 
Royal Arch Masons; and by Reveille Chap- 
ter, No: 47, of the Order of the Eastern 
Star. There are also, Salinas Lodge, No. 
131, of I. O. G. T., and a society of the W. 
C. T. U., a Council of the Legion of Honor, 
and a Parlor of N. S. G. W., etc. 

When a young man and a professor in a 
college in Italy, Father Sorrentini was 
an intimate friend of the illustrious Ital- 
ian composer, Verdi, for whose genius 
and many noble qualities he has very 
high admiration. To the remark that the 
great maestro had been made a senator by 
the Italian Government, Father Sorrentini 
responded: " Yes, but he takes but little 
interest in political matters, being wholly 
engrossed in his art." Evidently the close re - 
lations between the young professor and the 
youthful composer must have been strong 
and altogether honorable to both parties, 
judging from the enthusiasm and kindly 
feeling which the venerable prelate does 
not conceal when speaking of his early friend 
who also is now an old man. Some of Ver- 
di's music is thoroughly churchly in style; 
not a little of it, including characteristic 
sacred pieces introduced into his grand 
operas, have already become classics. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church South of 
Salinas was organized in 1867. Rev. J. C. 
Simmons, D. D., is its present pastor. The 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



church building was erected in 1871; its 
seating capacity is about 250; the church 
membership is about seventy. The trustees 
are: John Kalar, John Sexton, Curns John- 
son, H. V. Morehouse, Jasper Phares and 
R. J. Emraerson 

In 1861, thirty-one years ago. Rev. Dr. 
Simmons, as presiding elder of the San 
Francisco District held a camp meeting at 
the Blanco schoolhonse, on Salinas river, 
about four miles from the Bite of the present 
city of Salinas. Dr. Simmons, who came to 
California from Georgia in February, 1852, 
was present and took part in the organi- 
zation of the Pacific Conference at San Fran- 
cisco, April 15, of that new year; and he is 
the only person who was present then and 
is now a member of the conference, and he 
has been a member ever since. Rev. Dr. 
Simmons is the author of '• The History of 
Southern Methodism on the Pacific Coast," 
pages 454, published in 1886; and of a theo- 
logical work, entitled ' The Kingdom and 
Comings of Christ," pp. 320, and published 
in 1891. Dr. Simmons attended, as a i-epre- 
sentative of his church on the Pacific coast 
the Ecumenical Conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church held at Washington, Dis- 
trict of Columbia, in October, 1891. 

The Salinas United Presbyterian Congre- 
gation was organized by Rev. W. H. Wilson, 
acting under tlie authority of the Presbytery 
of San Francisco, December 7, 1869, and is 
the oldest Presbyterian congregation in Mon- 
terey county. Mr. Wilson was succeeded 
August 10, 1873, by Rev. George McCor- 



mick, who has been continuously in charge 
ever since. The present membership is about 
100, and the average attendance about the 
same. About 300 names in all have been 
enrolled during the present pastorate. Out 
of these have been formed congregations in 
Castroville, and in Easton, Fresno county, 
both of which are flourishing. The present 
beautiful church building, seating about 300, 
was erected in 1876, at a cost of about $7,000. 
It is free of debt. The present members of 
session are W. H. Clark and George A. 
Daugherty, Esq. The latter is also Sunday- 
school superintendent and choir leader. The 
preseiit board of trustees are J. A. Wall, Esq., 
Alfred Grant and Thomas Chappell. The 
congregation is self-supporting, and for many 
years has used the voluntary or envelope sys- 
tem of finance. 

The Baptist Church of Salinas, was organ- 
ized in 1873, and the church edifice was 
erected in 1875. It has a seating capacity of 
about 200. Rev. E. B. Hatch is the present 
pastor. The trustees are Dr. E. K. Abbott, 
Judge J. K. Alexander, W. F. Treat, Ira 
Tucker, Henry Whisman. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church (North), 
Rev. C. G. Milnes, pastor, has about sixty 
members. 

St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Salinas 
built its present church edifice in 1875; it 
was consecrated by Rt. Rev. W. I. Kip, D. 
D., LL. D., July 4, of that year; it has about 
120 sittings, and cost $1,200. Its present 
rector is Rev. John Acworth. Some of its 
former rectors have been: Revs. J. S. Mc- 



MONTEREY GOUNTT. 



Gowan, William Lund, J. Fred Holmes, J. 
S. Siinonds. 

Rev. N. V. Holm is pastor of the Danish 
Lutheran Church, which holds regular ser- 
vices. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

The Salinas Weekly Lidex, established in 
1871, W. J. Hill, editor and proprietor, is an 
influential local journal. It is the county 
ofiicial paper, and is Republican politically. 
Editor Hill is a practical newspaper man, of 
long experience and considerable force of 
character. His paper, having been long in 
the field, and being well managed and edited' 
has come to be a valuable property and a 
power in the community. 

The Salinas Weekly Democrat is another 
long-established and influential paper, Demo- 
cratic in politics, as its name implies. It ig 
published by Thomas Harris, and is edited 
with much ability. It was started at Monte- 
rey in 1867, by D. S. Gregory & Co., with 
Rasey Bivan as editor. Some time after, 
J. W. Lee became editor and proprietor of 
the Democrat, and he moved it to Salinas 
city about 1874, or just prior to the removal 
thither of the county seat. He conducted 
the paper until 1885 or 1886, when Thomas 
Harris and D. W. Lee bought out J. W. Lee. 
In February, 1888, Mr. Harris became sole 
proprietor. Mr. Harris is a thoroughgoing 
newspaper man; he is practically acquainted 
with every department of the newspaper busi- 
ness, from printer's "devil " to editor. 

The Salinas Daily Journal is published, as 



its name indicates, daily, by Harris & Smelt- 
zer. It is now in its seventh volume. 

OTIIEE BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS. 

The oflicers of the Salinas City Gas and 
Water Company are: J. B. Iverson, presi- 
dent; William Vanderhurst, treasurer; R. L. 
Porter, secretary; F.B.Day, superintendent. 
Directors — J. B. Iverson, William Vander- 
hurst, P. Zabilla, C. Hoifman, J. H. Mc- 
Dougall. The gas works were established in 

1873, and the water works were built in 

1874, and the electric arc-light system was 
put up in October, 1888. The Thomson- 
Houston arc-light system is used with a 
thirty-light dynamo. The Incandescent Na- 
tional Electric Company started November 1, 
1891. Two thirty-tive horse-power Westing- 
house, Jr., engines are used. Each dynamo 
is run by a separate engine. Capacity of in- 
candescent machine, 500 sixteen-candle power 
lights. The water works use one No. 10 
Knowles pump, and one duplex compound 
Worthington; capacity of both, 60,000 gal- 
lons per hour. Three 50,000-gallon tanks, 
eighty-six and seventy feet above the ground, 
are supplied from five artesian wells. Capi- 
tal stock, $60,000; but about $75,000 have 
been put into the works. 

The Salinas brewery, G. H. Meuke, pro- 
prietor, was built in 1891-'92, and com- 
menced operations in May, 1892, with a 
capacity of twenty-five barrels per day. It 
consumes 3,000 sacks of barley per annum. 
It has the latest and best machinery. The 
present plant cost about |20,000. Before 



V 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



buildin^^ his present establishment, Mr. 
Menke had been engaged in the same busi- 
ness here in a smaller way since 1877. 

The annual rainfall of Salinas city, based 
on an average of eight years, is about four- 
teen inches. 

SALINAS CITY SCHOOLS. 

From the last annual report of the county 
school superintendent the following facts are 
derived concerning the schools of Salinas for 
the year ending June 30, 1892: 

There were fourteen classes, one high, six 
grammar and seven primary classes, taught 
in three schoolhouses, by fourteen teachers, 
for ten months in the year. 

The number of pupils between five and seventeen 
in the district were: 
Boys, white, 393, negro, 1; girls, white 379, 

negro, 1; total 774 

Total number of children under five years in 

district 165 

Total under seventeen, native, 922; foreign, 17. . 939 
Grades, number of pupils, high, 79; grammar, 

215; primary, 343; total 637 

Teachers, male, 2; female, 12 14 

Grade teachers' certificate, high, 3; first gram- 
mar, 6; second grammar, 5 14 

Current expenses: 

Teachers' salary $10,652.50 

Rent, repairs, etc 2,276.57 

Libraries 114.10 

Apparatus 754.00 

?ites, building, furniture 2,534.62 

Total $15,731.79 

Receipts: 

Balance July 1, 1891, $3,087.43 

From State 4,870.00 

From county 3 922.00 

From city 4,647.03 

From subscription 1,220 75 

Total $17,747.21 

Balance June 30, 1892 | 2,015.42 



CHAPTER XXII. 

PACIPIC GKOVE. THE GENESIS OF PACIFIC GROVE 

EETREAT. 

IJN 1873, a Methodist minister by the name 
f1 of Ross, and his wife, both being in feeble 
"^ health, and having tried all the remedies 
that science could suggest, were advised to 
find some place where the temperature varied 
but little through the entire year, and where 
the fluctuations from heat to cold were merely 
noininal. After many months spent in re- 
search, it was at last decided that Monterey 
was the most likely place to supply those re- 
quirements. By the kindness of Mr. David 
Jacks, who at that time owned large tracts of 
land extending throughout what is now 
known as Pacific Grove and all the grounds 
acquired by purchase by the Pacific Improve- 
ment Company, they were induced to try a 
residence amongst the pines as being bene- 
ficial and conducive to the restoration of 
health. 

They accordingly came here and located 
on what it now known as Grand avenue, and 
near the present site of El Carmelo Hotel. 

After a short residence, the effects were so 
palpable that Mr. Ross went back to his for- 
mer home and brought with him his brother 
and his brother's wife, who were also troubled 
with pulmonary complaints. They all lived 
out of doors, they slept in hammocks under 
the trees, and ignored for the time being all 
indoor comfort, living principally on fish and 
game. Their recovery seemed almost mirac. 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



ulous, for in a very few months they were 
perfectly restored to health. 

In 1875, Bishop Peck, who was ever on the 
alert to do good, conceived the idea, after a 
brief visit, that this place so nearly resembled 
those health-giving retreats in the East, that 
negotiations were soon pending with Mr. 
Jacks for the purchase of a site that should 
at once form the nucleus around which could 
be built a retreat where spiritual and social 
comfort could be had without limit, and 
where the ever rolling, restless sea would sing 
a sweet lullaby to woo the drowsy god and 
produce that sweet, refreshing sleep which is 
acknowledged by all scientists to be the great 
restorer of human nature. Here in this 
lovely spot, breathing the pure aroma of the 
pines, and inhaling the pure ozone from the 
broad Pacific, with do one to trouble them or 
make them afraid, these people proved be- 
yond all doubt that so far as they were con- 
cerned, this was to them the Mecca for which 
they had so long and so persistently searched. 

TOWN OF PACIFIC GKOVE. 

The town of Pacific Grove, one of the most 
healthful, equable all-the-year seaside resorts 
in the world, was founded in the year 187B, 
by David Jacks and representatives of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. The articles of 
incorporation of the "Pacific Grove Retreat 
Association" are dated 15th of June, 1875. 
Among the purposes stated in these arti- 
cles, for which the corporation was formed, 
were the pui'chasing or leasing, and improve- 
ment of lands in Monterey county, for a sea- 



side resort, and for holding camp-meetings, 
etc. The original corporators were the follow- 
ing named gentlemen: Revs. J. W. Ross, F. 
F. Jewell, Otis Gibson, George Clifford, G. 
O. Ashe, H. B. Heacock, E. S. Todd; also 
Messrs. J. W. H. Campbell, G. F. Baker, J. 
A. Clayton, A. Gallatin. 

At first, about 100 acres were laid off in 
lots, including the present town site; water 
was brought in pipes from "Dairy Springs," 
about a mile away; some twelve or fifteen 
cottages, and a considerable number of tents 
were put up the first year, sufficient to ac- 
commodate 350 to 400 people. A camp-meet- 
ing was held that year, commencing August 
9th, and continuing about three weeks. Some 
29,000 or $30,000 were expended in im- 
provements during the year 1875. Summer 
religious meetings were held annually there- 
after. In later years, other features were 
added, such as the meeting here of the Chau- 
tauquans, the State Sabbath-school conven- 
tions, the Women's Christian Temperance 
Union, etc. 

The annual conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church of Central California has 
met at Pacific Grove the last six years; and 
in the summer of 1892 both the California 
State University and the Stanford University 
established here experimental stations for the 
study of marine life. In the early years of 
the town's existence, the Monterey and Salinas 
narrow-gauge railroad facilitated the coming 
hither of people from the interior; excursion 
steamers also brought large numbers from 
San Francisco. Afterward the Southern 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



Pacific Railway Company brought, and con- 
tiuues to bring, thousands frona many points, 
far and near. And as the temperature of 
Pacific Grove in winter differs but little com- 
paratively from its temperature in summer, 
people from the East and from Europe, who 
visit California in winter, find this a delight- 
ful winter resort. Northern people who visit 
Florida in winter must flee that section in 
summer. Here, the climate is bracing and 
healthful and charming all the year round. 

At a meeting of the Board of Trustees, 
June 21, 1883, it was announced that the 
land including the site of Pacific Grove had 
been sold by Mr. Jacks to the "Pacific Im- 
provement Company," subject to the con- 
ditions which had been previously agreed 
upon between the Board and Mr. Jacks, with 
some modifications; and that an understand- 
ing with the Pacific Improvement Com- 
pany had been reached March 31, 1883, 
whereby the latter should retain the financial 
management, and the Pacific Grove Associa- 
tion should continue to have the moral and 
prudential control of the grounds, and that 
this control should extend to the distance of 
one mile from the geographical center of the 
original survey. Later the Pacific Improve- 
ment Company put up at the Grove, the 
large, fine hotel, " El Carmelo," which has 
over 100 rooms. 

As indicating the good faith with which 
the Pacific Improvement Company has car- 
ried out its agreement with Grove Association, 
the following incident is related. When the 
Hotel del Monte was burned, representatives 



of the Pacific Improvement Company pro- 
posed to the Grove people that with their 
consent they would like to have the privilege 
of supplying their guests, transferred from 
del Monto to El Carmelo, with wine, etc. 
The Grove people did not see how they could 
consent to a violation of the conditions on 
which the tenure of title to their grounds 
depended, and they declined to assent to the 
proposition — to which declination the Pa- 
cific Improvement Company cheerfully and 
in good faith assented. 

The population of the town of Pacific 
Grove, according to the census of 1890, was 
1,336. Probably 10,000 transient visitors 
come here every summer. Its location among 
the pines and on the shore of the ocean, 
its all-the-year- round equable climate, and 
its quiet, wholesome moral atmosphere, com- 
bine to make it one of the most desirable 
health resorts in the world. The balm of 
its pine forests, and the coolness of its sum- 
mer sea breezes, are wonderfully invigorating, 
as thousands on thousands of its visitors can 
testify. 

In 1883 or '84 the Pacific Improvement 
Company brought water in pipes, at a cost of 
several hundred thousand dollars, from a point 
some twenty-two miles up the Carmel river, 
for the supply of Pacific Grove, Monterey, 
and Hotel del Monte and grounds of seventy 
acres. The water is brought to two immense 
reservoirs, of a capacity of 140,000,000, and 
16,000,000 gallons, respectively; one of these 
is located on the hill back of Pacific Grove, 
whence it is distributed to consumers. The 



MONTE HEY COUNTY. 



supply is abundant and the quality of the 
water excellent. The consumption is from 
1,000,000 to 1,500,000 gallons daily. 

The following is a list of civil officers of 
the town of Pacitic Grove: 

E. A. Eardley, O. S. Trimmer, C. Johnson, 
C. K. Tuttle, and W. V. Jubb, trustees; E. 
C. Smith, clerk; E. P. Wilbur, treasurer; "W. 
C. Little, engineer; J. R. Patrick, recorder; 
E. B. Rich, marshal; William Quintel, street 
superintendent. 

Tlie Pacific Grove Review is a weekly 
journal, published and edited by Anna A. 
Gallanar, a bright newspaper woman, who 
makes a paper that is a credit to the com- 
munity in which it is published. 

The Review was first started under its 
present name, but merely as a real-estate 
advertising sheet for gratuitous distribution 
by B. A. Eardley. It was neatly printed, 
took in outside advertisements, and also gave 
the local news in condensed form. It was a 
four-column, eight-page paper, and was well 
conducted. 

Afterward G. W. Gallanar took charge of 
it, and enlarged it to a seven-column folio, 
and published it as a Republican journal, at 
a subscription price of $2 per annum. 

Latterly the Review has been entirely 
under the control of Mrs. Gallanar, who 
makes it a worthy local organ of Pacific 
Grove. 

PACIFIC GROVE SCHOOLS. 

The public schools of Pacific Grove are 
divided into four classes, taught by four 
teachers. There are about 150 pupils in at- 



tendance. There is a high-school class, where 
pupils are prepared for the university. The 
Chinese colony of 400 or 500, within the dis- 
trict, includes some thirty-five native-born 
Chinese children, for whose education in En- 
glish provision was made by theschool trus- 
tees; but the parents of these children seemed 
to be averse to sending them to school. A 
kindergarten class is also maintained. Prof. 
G. W. Gretter is the principal of the Pacific 
Grove schools. 

The trustees of the school district are: H. 
W. Briggs, clerk, A. J. Painter, S. B. Gor- 
don. 

The district has a fine school building, with 
si.\ rooms, and a large hall, capable of being 
divided into two more rooms when the occa- 
sion requii-es. The schoolhouse is thor- 
oughly furnished with all the modern ap- 
pliances for heating, seating and ventilation; 
and the plumbing is of the best. The assist- 
ant teachers are: Mrs. J. D. Rogers, Mrs. M. 
G. Hood, Miss Nettie Waring. Ten months' 
school are maintained. Value of schoolhouse 
and lot, $14,000. 

DONATIONS. 

The Pacific Improvement Company has 
donated to the University of the Pacific a 
fine tract of about six acres, in a desirable 
locality, for the purpose of establishing at 
the " Grove " a branch of that institution. 

Mrs. L. G. Waterhouse, a former resident 
but now deceased, donated eight lots in the 
town of Pacific Grove, for an " old ladies' 
home." 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



Dr. Helen W. Webster, a visitor from 
Boston, lately bouprht a tract at the Grove, 
on which she intends to erect a " home for 
invalids" from Bostoi\ and vicinity, who 
are seeking a milder climate. 

CALIFORNIA CONFEEENCE. 

The thirty-ninth annual session of the 
California Conference of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church was held at Paciiic Grove, 
September 9 to 15, 1891, Bishop W. F. 
Mallalieu, president. Members in full con- 
nection, 180; on trial, 28; total, 208; local 
preachers, 140; church membership, — in full 
connection, 12,855; on probation, 1,673; 
total, 14,528; number of churches, 188; value 
of same, $1,173,470; number of parsonages, 
98; value of same, $141,675; ministerial sup- 
port, 1136,360; number of Sunday-schools, 
227; number of scholars, 19,587; number of 
volumes in libraries, 19,252. The confer- 
ence, which includes Sacramento, Napa, San 
Francisco and Oakland districts, has met at 
Pacitic Grove since 1884 (with one ex- 
ception). 

The fortieth session was held at the Grove 
from September 7 to 12, 1892, with 
Bishop John H. Vincent of Buffalo, New 
York, as president of the conference, and 
M. D. Buck, of Modesto, California, as secre- 
tary, and Thomas Filben, treasurer. The 
trustees of the conference are: Wesley 
Dennett, president; John Coyle, secretary; 
J. D. Hammond, treasurer; George Clifford, 
H. C. Benson, J. W. Ross, E. R. Dille, H. 
B. Heacock, W. W. Case. Conference mem- 



bers in full connection, 190; on trial, 23; 
total, 213. Of these, there are effective, 180; 
supernumeraries, 9; superanuated, 24; total, 
213. Local preachers, 150. Church mem- 
bership, in full connection, 13,893; on pro- 
bation, 3,168; total, 17,061. Number of 
churches, 191; value of church building, 
§1,233,321; number of parsonages, 107; 
value of parsonages, $153,200. Ministerial 
support: Pastors, presiding elders and bish- 
ops, $143,363; conference claimants, 4.889; 
number of Sunday-schools, 230; number of 
schol xrs, 19,919; number of volumes in 
libraries, 20.960; money raised for all pur- 
poses, $318,189. 

The Women's Christian Temperance Union 
of the State held its annualj Summer 
School of Method for 1892, at Pacific 
Grove, from July 14 to 20, and was largely 
attended; and a very elaborate and interest- 
ing programme was discussed. 

The Slate officers of the Union are: Mrs. 
Sturtevant-Peet, president; Mrs. Dorcas J. 
Spencer, corresponding secretary; Mrs. H. 
E. Brown, recording secretary; Mrs. Emily 
Hoppin, treasurer. Instructor, Mrs. Mary 
Allen West, of Chicago. Musical conductor, 
Mrs. A. M. Hilliker. Official reporter, Mrs. 
M. G. C. Edholm. 

Pacitic Ensign: Editor, Mrs. Ada Van 
Pelt; manager, Mrs. D. J. Spencer; secre- 
tary. Miss .fulia French. 

There are three church organizations in 
Pacitic Grove, namely: Methodist, Congre- 
gational and Episcopalian. Assembly Hall, 
the place of worship of the Methodists, was 



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MONTEREY COUNTY. 



103 



built l)y the Pacific Grove Retreat Associa- 
tion, at a cost of $25,000. The Pacific Im- 
provement Company donated $10,000 in 
cash, and, besides, eight- central lots, upon 
which the ball is located. Several individuals 
gave large amounts, and the citizens of 
Pacific Grove and its property owners, 
some of whom lived elsewhere, gave the 
balance to make up the above sum total. 
These amounts were given with the express 
understanding that this edifice was to be 
owned by the association and used for the 
meeting of all religious and educational as- 
semblies which come to the Grove, free of 
charge. It is so owned and used, and is an 
ornament to the town. It is, however, dedi- 
cated as a Methodist Church, and is so used 
by the local Methodist Episcopal Church 
organization of Pacific Grove. Yet it is the 
property of the Pacific Grove Retreat As- 
sociation. 

It was dedicated as a church by Bishop 
Vincent, in 1 8S8. It was erected in the spring 
and summer of that year, by W. H. Iloyt, as 
contractor, and a Mr. Price, of Philadelphia, 
as church architect. 

Rev. T. H. Sinnex, D. D., first pastor; 
Rev. M. C. Briggs, D. D., second pastor; 
Rev. S. G. Gale, present pastor. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Pacific 
Grove has erected a fine new parsonage, 
adjoining the church, or Assembly Hall, at 
an expense of about $2,200. 

The Assembly Hall is situated three blocks 
west of El Carmelo Hotel, fronting on Light- 
house avenue. It is in Gothic style, having 



two towers of equal height. The auditorium 
is 56 X 78 feet, with galleries. On each side 
is a chapel 24 x 48 feet, and in the rear an 
organ gallery 10 x 25 I'eet. The extreme di- 
mensions of the building are 95 x 105 feet. 
The chapels are separated from the main 
room by glazed partitions, which are mov- 
able; and the whole may be thus thrown into 
one large auditorium. This beautiful and 
commodious temple is a great public conven- 
ience, where many large religious and edu- 
cational bodies meet annually; and it is a 
credit to the town of Pacific Grove. 

The Episcopalians have a church, St. 
Mary's-by-the-Sea, at Pacific Grove. An 
account of this church, appears elsewhere 
and of the churches at Montei-ey, and the 
Hotel del Monte, all of which belong to 
one parish, of which Rev. C. S. Fackenthall 
is the rector. He resides at Pacific Grove. 

MAYFLOWER CONGKEGATIONAL CHUECH OF 
PACIFIC GROVE 

was organized with twenty-four charter iiieai- 
bers. It was incorporated January 26, 1892. 
E. Snell, M. D., Mrs. C. D. Dresser, deacons; 
Mrs. S. A. Virgin, Mrs. Fox, E. Snell, 
trustees. 

The church owns a lot 100 x 225 feet, 
which was donated by the Pacific Improve- 
ment Company. The foundation is laid for 
the entire structure, which is intended to 
seat 500 persons. A modest chapel has al- 
ready been put up. The church proper is 
to be of Gothic architecture, and to cost 
between $5,000 and $6,000. The present 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



attendance is from forty to fifty persons. 

Monterey and Pacific Grove are connected 
by a street railroad, which gives the public 
good service, and which is really a gi-eat 
public convenience; for the passenger traffic 
between the two towns, or between the Hotel 
del Monte and the Grove, is quite extensive. 

The track of the Southern Pacific railroad 
extends to and beyond the Pacific Grove, or 
to lake Majella in the pine t'orest beyond 
Point Pinos lighthouse. Both roads pass 
the Juni'pero cross and monument. New 
Monterey, and the Chinese town, and close 
along the shore of beautiful Monterey bay. 

A large portion of the 7,000-acre tract, 
adjoining Pacific Grove, is kept by the Pa- 
cific Improvement Company as a park. The 
"seventeen mile drive" winding around this 
park is one of the finest of its kind in the 
United States. It is graded, piked and grav- 
eled, and passes through a most picturesque 
region. A ride over it is something to be 
remembered for a lifetime. 



MONTEREY CYPEESS. 



On the Pacific Grove tract, at Point Cy- 
press, near Carmel bay, is to be found in its 
native habitat, the beautiful, ornamental tree, 
the Monterey cypress. Prof. Sargent, of 
the United States Botanical Department, at 
Washington, asserts that this tree is indige- 
nous to no other part of the world. But 
great numbers have been propagated, and 
introduced all over the State and to many 
parts of the East. It is a beautiful ever- 
green, susceptible of being trained into many 
unique forms; it grows rapidly, is thick, 



hardy and graceful, attaining a height of 
thirty to sixty feet. The largest trunk in the 
grove at Point Cypress three feet above the 
ground measured over nineteen feet in cir- 
cumference, or al)0ve six feet and a quarter 
in diameter. Its timber is very durable. 
The cones or globules are produced annually, 
and are about the size of a large filbert. The 
seed, in shape and size, is like onion seed, 
and may be sown in the same way and in 
the same sort of soil. The cones do not fall 
from the trees, and the seed is retained in 
them. It is said also, that a species of pine 
grows at Point Cypress that is found no- 
where else in the world. 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

OTHER TOWNS — CASTROVILLE. 

fASTKOVILLE is- a thriving railroad 
town, situated in the midst of a rich 
farming country, and near to tide-water 
at Moss landing. Its population, according 
to the Federal census of 1890, was about 640 
souls, and probably it is something more 
than that number at the present time. The 
school census of 1892 would indicate that its 
population must be over 1,000. The town 
was founded by Juan B.Castro, in 1864. It has 
a Protestant and a Roman Catholic Church; 
also lodges of Odd Fellows, Masons, Good 
Templars, etc. The Enterprise is the name 
of its bright, saucy, independent local paper, 
published by Miss Louise E. Francis, editor 
and proprietor. The Enterprise maintains a 
regular W. P. A. column, (Women's Press 
Association), and a W. C. T. U. column. The 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



105 



editor evidently believes that women, by com- 
bining; and working for their own elevation 
and independence, can improve their con- 
dition, as men, in modern times, have vastly 
bettered theirs, by similar methods. The 
Enterprise favors strongly one cause which 
would greatly benefit not alone Castroville 
and the Salinas valley but the entire State, 
namely, the subdivision of the big ranches. 

The following school statistics for 1892, 
are drawn from the latest annual report of 
County Superintendent Wood: 

Castroville has two schooUiouses and four 
teachers. Pupils between five and seventeen: 
boys 112, girls, 119, total, 231; children un- 
der five 88; under seventeen, 319; enrolled, 
boys 108, girls 106, total, 214; pupils, gram- 
mar grade, 49; primary, 165. 

Current expenses: teachers, $2,800; rents, 
etc., $522.61; total, $3,322.61. Receipts: 
State, $1,750; county, $1,450; balance 1891, 
$287.23; total, 13,487.23. Balance June 30, 
1892, $164.62. 

Value of lots, buildings and furniture, 
$4,000; library and apparatus, $600; total, 
$4,600. 

GONZALES 

is a thriving town on the railroad, about 
seventeen miles southerly, and up the valley 
from the county seat. The town has several 
churches; and its schools are excellent, being 
taught by three teachers, in two school- 
houses. Number of children — boys, 75; 
girls, 77; total, 152. Enrolled in grammar 
grade, 33; primary, 74; total, 107. Children 
7 



under 5, 96; between 5 and 17, 152; total 
under 17, 248. 

Receipts of moneys from all sources $2,537,27 
Expenditures, - - - 2,269,11 

Balance June 30, 1892, - 268,16 

The census of 1890 gave Gonzales a pop- 
ulation of only 359. The schjol census 
would certainly indicate a much larger popu- 
lation, at least twice that number in 1892. 

The Gonzales Tribune is edited and pub- 
lished by Thoj. Renison, who has also ably 
represented the people of his county in the 
Legislature (in 1889). 

The Baptist Church of Gonzales was or- 
ganized May 31, 1883. The first pastor was 
S. C. Keech; the other officers were Geo. J. 
Boekenoogeu and Thos. F. Faw, deacons; D. 
K. Edwards, clerk; Thos. F. Faw, treasurer. 
A Sunday-school was organized in 1874, by 
D. K. Edwards, which has been kept up ever 
since. Mr. Edwards and Mr. Faw have been 
its superintendents. November, 1883, a 
church edifice was commenced, and com- 
pleted in tlie following spring, at a cost of 
about $3,100. It was dedicated, free from 
debt, July 13, 1884, by Rev. Dr. "W. H. 
Pendleton, of San Francisco, but now of Los 
Angeles. Two lots, fifty by one hundred 
and forty feet, were donated by the Gonzales 
brothers. The church supports a permanent 
pastor, and owns a parsonage and grounds. 

Moss landing is the principal shipping 
point of the Salinas valley, being located at 
the mouth of Salinas river. Captain C. 
H. Moss, from whom the landing takes its 
name, commenced shipping grain from that 



106 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



point in 1866. It lias large warehouses. 
The landing is accessible at nearly all 
seasons of the year. 

KINGS CITY, 

altliough only six years old, is a thriving town 
on the railroad, some forty-live miles southerly 
from Salinas city, with a population in 1890 
of upward of 250. The newly organized 
Sperry Flour Company has a mill at Kings 
City, with a capacity of 250 barrels of flour 
per day. The town has a fine schoolhouse 
and its school facilities are excellent. 

Kings Citv is worthily and zealously rep- 
resented in the journalistic line by the 
Settler, under the direction of Mr. W. A. 
Beebe. The location of the town is such 
that it is bound to prosper. Los Burros 
mines and Jolon connect with the railroad at 
Kings City. There is a fine bridge across 
the Salinas river, built by the county, at this 
place. Kings City has excellent public schools. 

St. Mark's Episcopal Church at Kings City 
was built in the year 1890, the first services 
having been held here in June 1888. The 
church was dedicated by Rev. N. F. JSTichols, 
D. D., April 2, 1891. The cost of the 
church building was $1,050, 

Bev. J. S. McGowan was active in build- 
ing this church, as well as St. Paul's at Sali- 
nas; St. Luke's Church at Jolon and St. 
John's at San Miguel; all these churches 
were consecrated free of all debts. 

The other towns along the railroad are 
Chualar and Soledad, near the old mission of 
the same name, San Lucas, San Ardo and Brad- 



ley, the most southerly town in the county. 
San Lucas has a newspaper, the Herald, pub- 
islied by Eugene Rogers; and Bradley has 
the Mercury, published by J. Maloney. 

St. Luke's Episcopal church at Jolon was 
built in 1884, the first services having been 
held, on the first Sunday after Easter, in 
1883 The church was consecrated by Bishop 
Kip, D. D , L L. D., October 11, 1885. The 
cost of the building was $1,250. This was 
the first Protestant church in the community 
and is yet the only one. 

Natividad is one of the oldest towns in the 
county, and in the ante-railroad times, it was 
a station on the coast line of stages. It is 
six miles northeast of the county seat, and 
at the foot of the Gabilan range of mount- 
ains. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

THE PACIFIC IMPKOVEMENT COMPANY. 

t historical and statistical account of the 
town of Monterey and its surround- 
ings, would be incomplete, and hardly 
fair, which neglected to recognize the achieve- 
ments of the Pacific Improvement Company 
in the modern development of that locality 
so rich in historic associations as well as in 
natural attractions. 

It is currently reported, and the truth of 
that report is altogether probable, that the 
company has expended in the vicinity of 
$2,500,000 in Monterey county. By request, 
the company furnishes the following data 
concerning the famous Hotel del Monte, the 



MONT ERE T COUNTY. 



town of Pacific Grove, the Carmel Water- 
works, etc. 

THE HOTEL DEL MONTE. 

The controlling idea in the conception of 
the Hotel del Monte was the need of a large, 
handsome and perfectly equipped resort to 
render available the extraordinary natural 
charms which the peculiar climate of the 
coast afforded. Up to this time there was 
not, outside the cities, an adequate establish- 
ment in this part of the State, so that those 
Eastern and other non-resident persons who 
wished to take advantage of the fine winter 
climate of California, had to suffer the dis- 
comforts inseparable from a commercial hotel 
in a crowded and noisy city, it was left for 
the Pacific Improvement Company to supply 
the one great lack under which California 
suffered, and to take the first and most im- 
portant step in the direction of bringinor the 
charms of the State to the attention of intel- 
ligent health and pleasure-seekers in all parts 
of the world. 

The eflFect that the establishment of the 
hotel has had upon California has been very 
marked. By the providing of elegant ac- 
commodations at a reasonable cost, and by 
taking intelligent advantage of the beauties 
of nature which were found at hand, the 
delightful features of California have been 
strongly impressed upon all who have visited 
the hotel; and the presence of such a hotel, 
and the fame which it has acquired through- 
out Christendom, have induced a large 
special travel, which otherwise might never 



have come. Hence, incidentally, a greatly 
increased number of persons, numbering 
many thousands annually, have been brought 
in contact with the attractions and resources 
of the State; have expended their money 
freely with all classes of citizens; have been 
instrumental in increasing the population of 
the State, and have spread tJie fame of the 
country to all parts of the world. 

An interesting and uncommon feature of 
the hotel is that it always has a large busi- 
ness; there is no time of the year when the 
house has to be closed; the trained employes 
are not sent adrift at the end of the " season," 
to be replaced with green and untried hands 
at the reopening. This is so iincommon a 
circumstance, and has so important a bear- 
ing on the management of the place and the 
maintenance of its standard, that is worthy 
of particular attention. In the Southern 
States there are numerous fine winter resorts, 
but they do little or no business in the sum- 
mer. In the Northern States are countless 
summer resorts, which have to close their 
doors long before the snow begins to fly. 
The Hotel del Monte is entirely unique in 
being both a winter and summer resort of 
the highest order; and while it is true that 
its clientele changes with the seasons, the 
house is always comfortably filled and that, 
too, with the best class of people. The cli- 
mate explains this anomaly. In winter the 
freezing and rheumatic residents of the 
colder States find comfort at the Del Monte, 
and in summer it is a pleasure resort proper, 
but with a }arge sprinkling of permanent 



l08 



MONTEREY COUNT Y. 



guests who find both health and uninter- 
rupted comfort here. 

The natural beauties of the place are in- 
comparable; nowhere else on the continent, 
if at all in the world, is there so generous a 
collection of those natural charms which 
bring the highest pleasure. The hotel is 
situated in a splendid grove of giant pines 
and oaks, and these mammoth trees, together 
the with safe distance which the hotel was 
placed from the bay shore, afford a protection 
against the winds from the ocean. The 
Pacific Improvement Company owns the 
greater part of the peninsula separating the 
bays of Monterey and Carmel, having here a 
splendidly wooded park of 7,000 acres de- 
voted to the pleasure of the guests of the 
hotel. Along this peninsula are numerous 
bold headlauds, at whose rocky feet the waves 
break with a continual roar, and now and then 
beautiful sand beaches, some famous for 
their mosses and others for the pebbles. 
The great forest of pines which cover the 
peninsula gives way, at the southeast corner, 
to the most singular forest imaginable; the 
far-famed cypress grove, the singularly con- 
torted and gnarled members of which sug- 
gest the famed cedars of Lebanon. 

The Carmel river, flowing through the 
property, is one of the most charming streams 
in the State, and is kept especially stocked 
with trout for the guests, they alone being 
permitted to fish in the waters. There are 
several mountain ranges immediately at hand, 
including the Santa Lucia and Gabilan ranges, 
and they abound in deer and other game. 



The bay of Monterey itself is a beautiful sheet 
of water, being the most graceful in its out- 
lines of all the ocean inlets. For many miles 
a perfect sand beach stretches in front of the 
hotel, and upon it the white surf breaks con- 
tinually. The temperature of the water, 
though low at all times of the year, varies 
very little between winter and summer, and 
affords the finest bathing for guests every 
month in the year. Fishing and boating 
and sailing are favorite pastimes on the placid 
waters of the bay, and a diversion some- 
times occurs in the form of a school of whales. 
Seal Rock, just outside the bay and close to 
the peninsula, is covered with thousands of 
sea-lions, which are protected by stringent 
laws. 

Taking all these natural beauties (and sev- 
eral others that could be mentioned) into ac- 
count, it is extremely fortunate that they ex- 
isted in the immediate vicinity of the quaint 
old Spanish town of Monterey, the mostcharm- 
ing of all the older towns in the State, and 
richer than any other in legend, romance and 
dramatic history. It was here that Junipero 
Serra, the pioneer Franciscan friar, planted the 
cross; it was here that the flag was raised, and 
here that the first State government was or- 
ganized. The charm of the place is inde- 
scribable, and it grows and strengthens with 
time. Seemingly at no other place are the 
winds so welcome, the sunshine so genial 
and the flowers so bright. Only a mile away 
the towers and minarets of the stately 
Hotel del Monte are seen emerging from the 
dark green foliage of the trees. 



MONTEREY GOUNTT. 



109 



All these charms aud advantages having 
been taken into consideration, the hotel was 
built, and on June 6, 1880, was opened. 
The business trom that time forward in- 
creased witli unfailing steadiness, eventually 
requiring greatly enlarged accommodations. 
The general ground plan of the house is a 
long building, from either end of which, 
connected by circular arcades, extend an- 
nexes, while between them, running out from 
the center of the main building, are the din- 
ing room and kitchen. It will be seen from 
this that every room is necessarily well 
lighted, and from every possible view the 
guest finds acres of beautiful flowers before 
him. The main building is 840 feet long 
and 110 feet wide. In the center is a large 
office, or lobby, a favorite resort in the even- 
ings. There are also several parlors, includ- 
ing the grand parlor where tlie sacred con- 
certs are given on Sundays, and ladies' bill- 
iard rooms, reading rooms, a handsome ball- 
room, etc. The dining room, like all the pub- 
lic rooms of the house, is finished in pure 
white, dark colors and other dirt-concealing 
devices being nowhere employed. The din- 
ing room is of noble proportions, with hand- 
some plate mirrors set between the windows 
on either side of the room. The establish- 
ment contains nearly 500 bed-rooms and can 
accomodate 750 persons comfortably. 

The manager is George Sciionewald, the 
chief clerk is J. A. Clough, and the chef is 
J. A. Harder; 218 persons are employed. In 
1891 the number of registered guests was 
12,644. This does not include the great 



number of excursion parties, which are not 
registered. These are estimated at 5,000. 
The aim is to have the management as nearly 
perfect as possible, not the least item concern- 
ing the comfort and pleasure of the guest 
ever being overlooked. No dust or dirt is seen, 
nor a scratch on the furniture, nor does car- 
pet or linen show the least wear. While the 
guests sleep, an army of silent servants 
swarm through the corridors and public 
rooms, overhauling and polishing evei'y- 
thing in the most thorough manner. 

The architecture of the hotel is a pleasing 
and airy Gothic, with horizontal lines broken 
constantly, and numberless cosy nooks intro- 
duced. Towers and observatories, from 
which grand views of the bay and mountains 
are to be had, crown the structure, and the 
soft gray color of the pile harmonizes with 
the graceful surroundings. 

As has been said, the hotel is situated in 
the heart of the noblest forest of pines and 
live-oaks to be found in C!alifornia, and on 
one side of this is the bay, and on the other 
the mountains. But the owners were not 
satisfied with the lavish provision that Nature 
had made. Inclosing a section of the fores t 
126 acres in extent, they have beautified it 
in a manner and to an extent unequaled no- 
where else in America, and approached in 
beauty and variety only by a few of the more 
famous flower-gardens of Europe. It would 
be impossible to find anywhere else a climate 
that would permit of the success in floricul- 
ture, which the efforts at the Del Monle have 
secured. It is not only a garden for sum- 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



mer, but at all times of the year it is ablaze 
with gorgeous color. No frosts or snow are 
present to prohibit the uninterrupted frolic 
of the flowers, and many rare plants from the 
antipodes, where the seasons of bloom are re 
versed from those obtaining here, tind a con- 
genial home and add to the beauties of the 
midwinter season. A lover of the art may 
here tind the most attractive, instructive and 
varied range of blooming plants to be seen 
in the world, and many weeks would be re- 
quired to explore all the marvels of this won- 
derful collection. 

Another accessory to the hotel is Laguna 
del Eey, a charming lake 200 yards from the 
hotel. It covers about fifteen acres, and is 
surrounded with a tine boulevard and an end- 
less succession of ornamental trees and plants 
and shady nooks with seats. In the center 
of the lake is a fountain, which throws a 
graceful stream high in the air, and numer- 
ous boats are provided for the free use of the 
guests. 

Several tine tennis courts and croquet 
grounds are provided. These are disposed 
under the shade of the great oaks, all are 
paved with asphaltum and kept in the best 
order, and are provided with seats for specta- 
tors. The maze is one of the best and most 
elaborate in the country, covering several 
acres and requiring over a half mile of walk- 
inc to find the center, and as much more to 
eraero-e as lovers can spare from their meals. 
Numerous swings and other pleasure-making 
devices exist througliout the grounds, besides 



miles of shady and romantic walks through 
the lawns, flower-beds and trees. 

The club-house is removed more than a 
hundred yards from the hotel. It is a grace- 
ful and comfortable building, and is provided 
with ten-pin alleys, billiard rooms and the 
like. Three hundred yards beyotd it, and 
concealed from the hotel by the trees, are the 
extensive stables, surpassing in extent any 
other public or private stables in the AVest. 
One reason for this is the great number of 
beautiful drives to be found in the neighbor- 
hood. Every possible kind of turnout — drags, 
four-in-hands, carts, buggies, carriages, sur- 
reys, tallyhoes, saddle-horses and everything 
else in the line, can be had on a moment's 
notice, and at prices at which none could 
complain. Not far from the stables are the 
nurseries of the hotel garden, with acres of 
young plants under glass, and seed-beds show- 
ing the future queens of the garden in their 
infancy. 

A leading attraction is the great bathing 
pavilion, situated a quarter of a mile from 
the house, down on the beach. It is a large 
glass-covered structure, containing all kinds 
of hot and cold baths, principal of which are 
the four large swimming pools, heated to 
different temperatures to suit all tastes. The 
water is salt, being pumped from the bay, 
and is kept constantly changing. It is a great 
fashion to take a plunge into the surf as a 
finish to the luxurious swim within doors. 

Possibly the most picturesque of the 
side attractions is the famous seventeen-mile 
drive, running from the hotel through Mon- 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



Ill 



terey, then across the neck of the peninsula 
to Carinel bay, and tlien all around the 
peninsula, passincj through the grotesque 
Cypress Grove, past the Seal Rock and Moss 
Beach, through Pacific Grove and so back to 
the hotel. Throughout its whole extent the 
drive is macadamized or graveled and kept 
in perfect order, so that at no time is there 
either mud or dust. The remarkable variety 
of scenery, which it brings in review, cannot 
be surpassed, and to describe it in detail 
would require much more space than is avail- 
able here. 

No traveler of taste and education thinks 
of visiting California without seeing the 
Hotel del Monte. Its nearness to San Fran- 
cisco, which is the converging point of all 
western travel, makes it easily accessible, and 
the country traversed by the railroad between 
San Francisco and Monterey is the most 
attractive and highly developed in California. 
The road takes one through the beautiful 
suburban towns containing the summer resi- 
dences of many San Franciscans, — past the Le- 
land Stanford, Jr., University, with its quaint 
Moorish architecture and its unparalleled en- 
dowment of more than $20,000,000; through 
San Jose, the "garden city " of California; 
within sight of Mount Hamilton, crowned 
with the glittering dome of Lick Observatory; 
through the famous vineyards of the Santa 
Clara valley, and on through a series of charm- 
ing valleys in the highest cultivation, and 
showing prosperous California in its pleasant- 
est aspects. It would bo almost impossible 
to enumerate the famous men and women 



who have enjoyed the comforts of the Del 
Monte, but among them may be mentioned 
President Harrison, ex- President Hayes, the 
late General W. T. Sherman, Mr. and Mrs. 
Henry M. Stanley, John W. Mackay, Joseph 
Pulitzer, Edwin Booth, the Marquis of Lome 
and the Princess Louise, the Marquis of 
Queensberry, Don Cameron, Mrs. James 
Brown Potter, and many others. 

THE TOWN OF PACIFIC GKOVE. 

The town of Pacitic Grove is a unique 
institution, being the place of summer assem- 
bly for the more cultured and intellectual 
societies of the State. It was bought by the 
Pacific Improvement Company in 1880 to 
supply the need of the Methodist General 
Conference for an attractive spot for its sum 
mer gatherings. Hence the original inten- 
tion was that it should be a camp-ground 
only; and in order to secure an orderly 
management of the camp, the conduct of the 
place was invested in a board of trustees, 
and camping lots were leased or sold and 
numerous permanent tents erected. During 
the twelve years which have elapsed the 
place has undergone a remarkable change 
illustrating human inability to foresee the 
future. Instead of being a Methodist camp- 
ing ground, it is now the headquarters of the 
numerous societies on the coast, religious 
and intellectual, still including the Methodists, 
but many in addition. Among the societies 
which held meetings there last season were 
the following: Pacific Grove Retreat Associa- 
tion, Young Men's Christian Association, 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



District Conference and Summer Encamp- 
ment of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
the Chautauqua Assembly, the W. C. T. U. 
School of Methods, the Midsummer Eeunion 
for Political, Civil and Social Reforms, 
and others, including the California State 
Teachers' Association. 

The size and character of the place have 
expanded with the extension of its original 
purpose. There were many natural reasons 
for this. The grove is only three miles from 
Monterey and four miles from the Hotel del 
Monte, and is situated in a sheltered cove on 
the south arm of the bay of Monterey. The 
soil is a rich, sandy loam, producing flowers 
equaled only by those at the Hotel de 
Monte. The old lighthouse on Point Pinos 
is near by, as also is the pretty lake Majella, 
while bathing, boating and fishing constitute 
the chief charms which the bay affords. The 
great forest of pines, which cover the penin- 
sula here, reaches down to the water's edge, 
making the site remarkably attractive and 
picturesque. 

An idea of the growth of tiie place may be 
inferred from the assertion that the summer 
population of the Grove is now 6,000, with 
a permanent population of about one-fourth 
that number. So great has been the growth 
that the Pacific Improvement Company has 
had to make several additions to the origina 
site. From 100 acres the place has grown to 
470 acres, divided into 3,380 lots, and an- 
other addition of 800 lots is about to be 
made. The original tents have given way to 
lono- streets of artistic summer cottages, in 



which the ingenuity of skillful architects has 
been taxed to produce charming effects. In- 
stead of the meetings now being held in the 
rough hall which was originally supposed to 
be sufficient, there is now a handsome struc- 
ture that would be an ornament to any city. 
Several religious societies have erected at- 
tractive houses of worship, graded and 
graveled and clean streets make walking and 
driving through the avenues of tall trees a 
luxury. 

The principal structural attraction of Pa- 
cific Grove is El Carmelo, second only in ex- 
tent to the Hotel del Monte. Severe in its 
exterior lines, there is a repose in the external 
aspect of the house which gives fair promise 
of the warmth of comfort within. The house 
is well managed, and the charges are not ex- 
cessive. 

A livery stable in the town furnishes turn- 
outs, whereby visitors may enjoy the excel- 
lent drives that abound everywhere in this 
vicinity. 

A large public school is a comparatively 
recent improvement, and a public library is 
an important attraction. An academic de- 
partment of the University of the Pacific is 
in successful operation. 

Besides a line of horse cars connecting the 
Grove with Monterey and the Hotel del 
Monte, the Southern Pacific Company, on the 
1st of August, 1889, opened an extension of 
its main line running from San Francisco to 
the Hotel del Monte and Monterey, so that 
one may now go directly to Pacific Grove by 
rail. 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



113 



One of the most interesting of the new 
attractions is the seaside laboratory, en- 
dowed by Timothy Hopkins, and conducted 
by the Stanford University. 

It is intended to make this a place for 
original investigation of the habits, life, his- 
tory, structure and development of marine 
animals and plants, and to carry on work 
here similar to that wliich has made the 
aquarium at Naples known all over the 
world. 

THE CARMEL WATER WORKS. 

In order to secure an adequate supply of 
the purest water for the Hotel del Monte, 
Pacific Grove and as many private consumers 
as might wish to avail themselves of the 
privilege, the Pacific Improvement Company 
in 1883 began and completed the Carmel 
water-works. The water is brought from the 
Carmel river, which, passing through a very 
wild and uncultivated region, is pure and 
clear. The water is conveyed in pipes from 
the river to two reservoirs near Pacific Grove, 
one of these having a storage capacity of 
18,000,000 gallons and other 140,000,000 
gallons. Thence it is distributed through 
pipes, there being in all twenty-six miles of 
pipe. The capacity of the service is 1,200,- 
000 gallons daily, and the supply is unfailing. 

CHAPTER XXV. 

CONCERNING ONE OF THE EARLIEST AMERICAN 
SETTLERS IN CALIFORNIA. 

fHE following interesting facts concern- 
ing one of the earliest American pio- 
neers of California, are contributed by 
Mr. S. C. Foster, of Los Angeles, who ch- 



ained them direct from his father- in-law, 
Don Antonio M. Lugo, who was an actor in 
the events recounted ; and also from a brother- 
in-law, who well remembered that the events 
occurred " en el aiio de los Insurgentes" (in 
the year of the Insurgents), or of the " Pirate 
Bouchard." 

A man by the name of Juan Groem, or 
Graham, came with Malaspina's expedition 
to Monterey in 1791; whether he was an 
American or not is uncertain. He shipped 
at Cadiz. 

The sketch of Mr. Foster was written and 
first published in 1876, the centennial anni- 
versary of our national independence, in a 
Los Angeles journal. As it gives the sequel 
of the famous attack of " Bouchard, the Pi- 
rate," on Monterey, it is reproduced here. 
Mr. Foster's narrative reads as follows: 

One day, in the year 1818, a vessel was 
seen approaching the town of Monterey. As 
she came nearer she was seen to be armed, 
her decks swarming with men, and she was 
flying an unknown flag. Arriving within 
gunshot, she opened fire on the town, and 
her fire was answered from the battery, while 
the lancers stood ready to repel a landing, if 
it should be attempted, or cover the retreat 
of the families, in case the effort of repulse 
should be unsuccessful; for Spain was at 
peace with every maritime nation, and the 
traditions of the atrocities committed by the 
Buccaneers at tlie end of the seventeenth 
century, on the Spanish main, were familiar 
to the people. After some firing, the strange 
vessel appeared to be injured by the firing 
from the battery, and bore away and disap- 



MONTEREY COUNFY. 



peared. The alarm spread along the coast as 
fast as swift riders could carry it, and all the 
troops at every point were ordered to be on 
the alert. The strange craft next appeared 
off the Ortega ranch, situated on the sea- 
shore above Santa Barbara, and landed some 
men, who, while plundering the ranch, were 
surprised by some soldiers from Santa Bar- 
bara, and before they could regain their boats 
some four or five were captured. She next 
appeared off San Juan Capistrano, landed 
and plundered the mission, and sailed away 
and never was heard of more. All that is 
known of her is that she was a BuenosAyrean 
privateer, and that laer captain was a French- 
man named Bouchard. 

As to those of her crew she left behind, 
the circumstances under which they were 
captured might have justified severe meas- 
ures, but the comraandante was a kind-hearted 
man, and he ordered that if any one would 
be responsible for their presentation when 
called for, they should be set at liberty until 
orders were received from Mexico as to what 
disposition should be made of them. 

When the alarm was given. Corporal An- 
tonio Maria Lugo (who, after seventeen years 
of service in the company at Santa Barbara, 
had received his discharge and settled with 
his family in Los Angeles in 1810), received 
oi'ders to proceed to Santa Barbara with all 
the force the little town could spare. (He 
was the youngest son of Private Francisco 
Lugo, who came to California in 1771, and 
who, besides those of his own surname, as 
appears from his will, dated at Santa Barbara 



in the year 1801, and still in the possession 
of some of his grandsons in Los Angeles 
county, was the ancestor, through his four 
daughters, of the numerous families of the 
Yallejos, Carrillos, De la Guerras, Cotas, 
Ruizes, besides numerous others of Spanish 
and English surnames.) Don Antonio, the 
son, lived to be an old man; and he was the 
same person whose striking form was so 
familiar to our older residents, who seventeen 
years ago (in 1859), at the ripe age of eighty- 
five years, died in Los Angeles, honored and 
respected by all. 

Some two weeks after the occurrence of 
the events recounted above, Doha Dolores 
Lugo (wife of Don Antonio,) who with other 
wives was anxiously waiting, as she stood 
after nightfall in the door of her house, which 
still stands on the street now known as negro 
alley, heard the welcome sound of cavalry 
and the jingle of their spurs as they defiled 
along the path north of Fort Hill. They pro- 
ceeded to the guard-house which then stood 
on the north side of the Plaza across upper 
main street. The old church was not yet 
built. She heard the orders given, for the 
citizens still kept watch and ward; and 
presently she saw two horsemen, mounted on 
one horse advancing across the plaza, toward 
the house, and heard the stern but welcome 
greeting "Ava Maria Puri'sima," upon which 
the children hurried to the door, and kneeling 
with clasped hands uttered their childish wel- 
come and received their father's benediction. 
The two men dismounted. The one who rode 
the saddle was a man full six feet high, of a 



MONTE BEY COUNTY. 



spare, but sinewy form, which indicated great 
strength and activity. He was then forty- 
three years of age. His black hair, sprinkled 
with gray, and bound with a black handker- 
chief, reached to his shoulders. The square- 
cut features of his closely shaven face indi- 
cated character and decision, and their natur- 
ally stern expression was relieved by an ap- 
pearance of grim humor — a purely Spanish 
face. He was in the uniform of a cavalry 
soldier of that time, the cuera hlanca, a 
loosely fitting surtout, reaching to below the 
knees, made of buckskin doubled and quilted 
so as to be arrow proof; on his left arm he 
carried an adarga, an oval shield of bull's 
hide, and his right hand held a lance, while a 
high-crowned heavy vicuna hat surmonnted 
his head. Suspended from his saddle were a 
carbine and a long straight sword. The 
other was a man about twenty-five years of 
age, perhaps a trifle taller than the first. His 
light hair and blue eyes indicated a different 
race, and he wore the garb of a sailor. 

The expression of his countenance seemed 
to say, "I am in a bad scrape; but I guess I'll 
work out somehow." 

The senora politely addressed the stranger, 
who replied in an unknown tongue. Her 
curiosity made her forget her feelings of hos- 
pitality, and she turned to her husband for 
an explanation. 

"Whom have you here, old man?" 
"He is a prisoner we took from that buc- 
caneer — may the devil sink her! — scaring the 
whole coast, and taking honest men away 



from their homes and business. I have gone 
his security." 

"And what is his name and country?" 
"None of us understand his lingo, and he 
don't understand ours. All I can find out is 
his name is Jose and he speaks a language 
they call English. "We took a negro among 
them, but he was the only one of the rogues 
that showed fight, and so Corporal Ruiz 
lassoed him, and brought him head- over-heels, 
sword and all. 1 left him in Santa Barbara 
to repair damages. He is English too." 
"Is he a Christian or a heretic ?" 
"I neither know nor care. He is a man 
and a prisoner in my charge, and I have 
given the word of a Spaniard and a soldier, 
to my old commandante for his safe keeping 
and good treatment. 1 have brought him 
fifty leagues, on the crupper behind me, for 
he can't ride without something to hold to. 
He knows no more about a horse than I do 
about a ship, and be sure and give him the 
softest bed. He lias the face of an honest 
man, if we did catch him among a set of 
thieves, and he is a likely looking young fel- 
low. If he behaves himself we will look 
him up a wife among our pretty girls, and 
then, as to his religion the good Padre will 
settle all that. And now, good wife, i have 
told you all I know, for you women must 
know everything; but we have had nothing 
to eat since morning, so hurry up and give 
us the best you have." 

Lugo's judgment turned out to be correct, 
and in a few days afterward the Yankee pri- 
vateersman might have been seen in the 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



raountains in what is known among the Cal- 
ifornians as the " Church canon," ax in hand, 
helping Lugo to get out timbers for the con- 
struction of the church; a work which the 
excitement caused by his arrival, had inter- 
rupted. The church was not finished until 
four years afterward, for tbey did not build 
as fast then as they do now. Chapman con- 
ducted himself well, always ready and willing 
to turn his hand to anything, and a year af- 
terward he had learned enough Spanish to 
make himself understood, and could ride a 
horse without the risk of tumbling off, and 
he guessed he liked the country and people 
well enough to settle down and look around 
for a wife. So he and Lugo started off to 
Santa Barbara on a matrimonial expedition. 
Why they went to Santa Barbara for that 
purpose I do not know, but this much I do 
know, that in former times the Angelenos 
always yielded the point that the Barbarenos 
had the largest proportion of pretty women. 

In those days the courtship was always 
done by the elders, and the only privilege of 
the fair one was the choice of saying " yes " 
or " no." Lugo exerted himself, vouched for 
the good character of the suitor, and soon 
succeeded in making a match. The wedding 
came off in due time, Lugo giving the bride 
away, and as soon as the feast was over the 
three started back to Los Angeles. One 
fashion of riding in those days, was the fol- 
lowing: A heavy silk sash, then worn by the 
men, was looped over the pommel of the 
saddle so as to form a stirrup, and the lady 
rode in the saddle, while her escort mounted 



behind, the stirrups being shifted back to 
suit his new position; and in this style Chap- 
man once more set out on the long road 
from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles for the 
second time a prisoner. But now, in the 
saddle before him, instead of the grim old 
soldier, armed with targe and lance, rode the 
new-made bride, armed with bright eyes and 
raven tresses, for the Seilorita Guadalupe 
Ortega, daughter of old Sergeant Ortega, the 
girl who, one short year before, had tied in 
terror from the wild rovers of the sea, as, 
pistol and cutlass in hand, they rushed on 
her father's house, and who had first seen her 
husband a pinioned prisoner, had bravely 
dared to vow to love, honor and obey the fair 
gringo. 

Years afterward, when the country was 
open to foreign intercourse, on the establish- 
ment of Mexican independence, in 1822, and 
the first American adventurers, trappers and 
mariners found their way to California, they 
found Jose Chapman at the mission of San 
Gabriel, fair-haired cliildren playing around 
him, carpenter millwright and general facto- 
tum of good old Fatiier Sanchez; and among 
the vaqueros of old Lugo they also found 
Tom Fisher swinging his riata among the 
wild cattle as he once swung his cutlass when 
he fought tiie Spanish lancers on the beach 
at the Ortega ranch. 

Chapman died about the year 1849, and 
his descendants now live in the neighboring 
county of Ventura. I saw Fisher in Sep- 
tember, 1848, when I met him in the Monte. 
The news of gold had just reached here and 



MONTEREY COUNTY. 



he was on his way to the placers to make his 
fortune, and he has never been heard from 
sicne. To ray readers of Castilian descent, 
I would say that I have not used the prefix 
of Don, for I preferred to designate them by 
the rank that stands opposite to their fore- 
fathers' names on the old muster rolls of 
their companies, now in the Spanish archives 
of California. 



And iu conclusion of my humble contri- 
bution to the Centennial history of Los An- 
geles, I have only to say, without fear of 
contradiction, that the first American pio- 
neers of Los Angeles, and as far as tradition 
goes, of all California, were Jose el Ingles, 
Joseph the Englishman, alias Joe Chapman, 
and El Negro Fisar, alias Tom Fisher. 

This concludes Mr. Foster's letter. 




SAN BENITO GOUNTY. 



CHAPTER I. 

PHTSICAI, CHAKACTEEISTICS — LOCATON AND 
TOPOGKAPHT. 

fHE county of San Benito, its name be_ 
ino; theSpanish diminutive of Saint Ben- 
jamin, was created as a political division 
of California in 1874. The principal portion 
of its territory formerly constituted a part of 
the historic county of Monterey. By an Act 
of the Legislature, passed subsequent to that 
date, certain additions to its area, aggregating 
200,000 acres, were made from the counties 
of Merced and Fresno. 

San Benito county, as it now exists, is 
bounded on the north by the counties of San- 
ta Cruz, Santa Clara, Merced and Fresno; on 
the east by Merced and Fresno, and on the 
south and west by Monterey. It lies between 
36° and 37° north latitude, and mostly be- 
tween 121° and 122° west longitude, and is 
from twenty to forty miles inland from the 
coast. Its longest extension is in the direc- 
tion of northwest and southeast; it is in- 
closed between the summits of the Monte 
Diablo (Devil's mountain) and the Gabilan 
(Hawk) ranges. It is about seventy miles in 
length and averages something over twenty 
miles in width, containing about 925,000 



acres. The county is naturally drained by 
the San Benito river, which runs northwest- 
erly through the middle of the county, and 
empties into the Pajaro river. Tres Pinos 
(Three Pines) creek and several other smaller 
streams are tributary to the San Benito. Be- 
sides the main valley of the county, which is 
known as San Benito valley, and which merges 
to the northwest into the Santa Clara valley, 
there are numerous valleys of smaller extent 
within the county, to wit: San Juan, Santa 
Ana, Quien-Sabe, Los Muertos, Bear, Pano- 
che and Bitterwater (Aqua Amargosa), etc. 

GEOLOGT. 

Tile following account of the geological 
formation of San Benito county is by Prof. 
F. B. Abbe: 

" The origin of the Mount Diablo and 
Gabilan ranges of mountains, which belong 
to the Mesozoic and Cenozoic periods just 
subsequent to the great carboniferous age, is 
due to the contraction of the crust of the 
earth in cooling. The ocean swarmed with 
shell-fish at this time, and with the uptieaval 
vast quantities of their remains were exposed 
to view, and to-day, wherever we may wander, 
we constantly meet with some fossil form of 
this ancient life, from the minute foraminifera 



SJJ\f BENITO COUNTY. 



119 



of marble and limestone to the immense oys- 
ter shell weighing fifty pounds. There are 
but two points where any presence of igne- 
ous action is manifest; one at Fremont's Peak, 
the culminating point of the Gabilau range' 
the other farther south near the old Santa 
Bonita quicksilver mine. At the former 
point the range terminates abruptly in a 
series of jagged ridges, pitching into the 
plains below at sharp angles. These ridges 
are composed mainly of calcareous rocks, 
having been previously in a state of fusion, 
succeeded by aqueous action. On the fused 
walls and roof of a cave in the peak are sta- 
lactites and other curious aqueous formations. 
Unlike the structure of the Sierras, these 
ranges had a more gradual growth, there 
being an entire absence of lava. Occasionally- 
a great convulsion would take place, disrupt- 
ing huge masses of the crust, but not de- 
stroying its structure. This is clearly shown 
at several places in the southern part of the 
county. For many miles the course of the 
San Benito river cuts through or skirts these 
mountains. The strata exposed thus have 
many twists and curves. 

In following the course of these strata, 
the general direction for some distance is 
horizontal, when it is suddenly broken off, 
just beyond, strata having the same markings 
have a vertical direction, and still farther on 
the direction is again horizontal, showing that 
during one of those violent disturbances, 
huge masses of the crust were forced bodily 
upward, dropping back into the same place 
again endwise. These are termed " faults" 



in mining parlance, and are commonly met 
with in mountains of this nature. 

The formation of our valleys and canons, 
geologically, is claimed by scientists to be 
due to the action of glaciers and floods.' 
During the peon known as the glacial age, 
the northern half of the United States was 
buried under an ice cap, the rim extending as 
far south as the latitude of San Benito 
county. Following this age of ice was a 
period of great floods and tempests. The 
disintegrating mountain walls were carried 
into the valleys below, covering their floors 
successively with layers of clay, boulders, 
gravel, sand, and the various loams, thus bury- 
ing the original crust hundreds of feet. The 
boring of artesian wells has made this clear; 
fossil shells have been raised in the San Juan 
valley from the depth of 120 feet. From 
wells in San Felipe have been taken, at vari- 
ous depths, animal and even human remains, 
besides fragments of vegetation of both mod- 
ern and extinct species. The exposed face of 
any high blufl" showing the variety and thick- 
ness of the stratum, is an open page in the 
history of this period. 

In discussing the composition of the rocks 
of our mountains and valleys, which more 
properly belong to the science of mineralogy, 
it is our aim to merely classify and describe 
the different minerals found here. The de- 
velopment of the mineral resources, excepting 
a few cases, is yet in its infancy. More at- 
tention, however, is being given to this im- 
portant branch of our industries, so that 
ledges, and deposits of ores and minerals of 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



many varieties and of great industrial value, 
are being constantly located. 

The three metals, silicon, calcium and 
aluminuni, form the base of the three most 
prominent classes of minerals found in the 
country, and which are known as the silicate, 
calcites and clays. The silicates are more 
abundant, but the calcites represent nearly 
every form known to mineralogy, ranging 
from the primitive chalk rock to the highly 
crystalline forms of spar and selenite. Other 
forms common here are marble, limestone, 
alabaster, gypsum, satin-spar, Iceland spar 
and dolomite. 

The limestone is of the finest quality, and 
the deposits of great extent. The products 
from the marble, lime, and cienega kilns 
meet with favor with builders. 

The gypsum and marble deposits are yet 
undeveloped, waiting better transportation 
facilities. The latter has been pronounced 
of fine quality. It has dark-colored streaks 
running through it, the whole when polished 
presents a beautiful appearance. Were it a 
little closer grained, it would fully equal the 
famous Italian product in durableness. The 
oldest of the three classes, the silicites, is not 
so fully represented as to variety, the lower 
grades only being common. The sandstone 
of the Bromas district possesses valuable 
features as a building stone, many of the old- 
est structures in San Juan being built of it. 

Other forms of this class scattered in more 
or less quantities throughout the country, 
and valuable to the lapidarian for inlaid and 
ornamental work, are agate, chalcedony. 



milky and rose-tinted quartz, jasper and 
flints, all of which are susceptible of a high 
polish. 

Granite of this class, the oldest of all 
metamorphic rocks, is here found side by 
side with marble, an occurrence rarely met 
with, owing to the vast periods of time elaps- 
ing between the origin of the two rocks. 

Soapstone, another silicate, is met with in 
several localities, the product from one of the 
deposits being shipped to San Francisco and 
used in the manufacture of a variety of 
articles. 

The aluminites are not well represented 
in the county, although clay banks, shales 
and slates are met with everywhere. A fact 
not generally known is that under every 
man's home in the county lies a " gold vault " 
in the form of that most useful, as well as 
beautiful metal, aluminum, which awaits only 
the magic key of chemistry to deliver it to 
the fortunate possessor. 

The other minerals and metals found here 
each of which forms a base of a class, are 
sulphur, asbestos, coal, petroleum, iron, cop- 
per, antimony and cinnabar, from which 
comes mercury. 

Coal is found in extensive deposits, but 
like all the coal on the Pacific slope, is of a 
soft, lignitic variety, owing to the recent 
period of its origin. It is well adapted for 
the manufacture of gas and household pur- 
poses, but where an intense heat is required^ 
as in blast furnaces, etc., it is found wanting. 

The two metals that have made San Benito 
county famous as a mining county, and of 



SAN BENITO COUNT y. 



which fact it may well be proud, are anti- 
mony and mercury, commonly called "quick- 
silver." These metals are met with in but 
few localities throughout the world, but here 
they appear to exist in inexhaustible quanti- 
ties in the Mount Diablo range. The New 
Idria mine is ranked as the third largest 
quicksilver mine in the world. 

From the Shriver antimony mines have 
been taken huge masses of the metal in 
needle-like crystals, much sought after for 
cabinet uses. The metal is used most ex- 
tensively for the manufacture of type, pos- 
sessing the property of contracting when in 
a state of fusion, and expanding on resuming 
a solid form. 

Much has been said and written about the 
presence of gold and silver within the bor- 
ders of San Benito county. Many twice- 
told tales of discovery of ledges of fabulous 
wealth have oft thrilled groups of listeners 
to such an extent that they caught the min- 
ing fever and started in search of these hid- 
den riches; but fate had decreed otherwise, 
and the ledges remained to be rediscovered. 

From almost every caiion of the encom- 
passing mountains " color " may be washed, 
but that either gold or silver, in paying quan- 
tities, is to be found in San Benito county, 
or even in the coast ranges, the science of 
geology denies. The precipitation of 
these metals occurred before these mountains 
rose from the bosom of the Pacific, with the 
exception of a few isolated peaks. Another 
law of geology is, that where there is an ab- 



seuce of lava, there will be like absence of 
these metals. 

In conclusion it is safe to say that prob- 
ably in no spot of like extent within our 
country is there a greater variety of minerals 
and a richer field of geological research than 
in San Benito county. 

CHAPTEH II. 

MINEEALOGY. 

fHE following brief notes are gleaned 
from the reports of the State mineral- 
ogist for the years 1S88 and 1890, and are 
of interest in this coimection. While this (San 
Benito) county is regarded as essentially 
agricultural, yet to an observer it appears 
to possess mineral resources of equal impor- 
tance to others in the State. The Mount 
Diablo range has proved of incalculable 
wealth in its coal, quicksilver, copper, chrome, 
petroleum, ochre and antimony; and in the 
Gabilan range, lime, gypsum and iron are 
present. 

Nearly one-half of this country, including 
most of its arable land, lies in the San Be- 
nito valley; and the mountains bordering on 
this valley are grass-covered to their summits. 

There is a little timber on the Crabilan 
mountains, but not much of any kind else- 
where in the county. 

The San Benito river and its tributaries, 
together with the Pajaro on its northern 
boundary, take in the entire hydrographic 
system of the county. 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



QUICKSILVER NEW IDRIA. 

As is well known, the Nen- Idria quick- 
silver mines rank among the most famous in 
the world. They are situated in the western 
end of Vallecitos valley, on the southeastern 
borders of San Benito county, in the portion 
acquired from Fresno. These mines were 
discovered about the year 1852 or 1853. 
Work was iirst commenced upon a deposit of 
chromic iron at the top of the mountain near 
the boundary line between Monterey and this 
part of San Benito county, then a portion of 
Fresno, under the impression that it was 
silver ore. 

Throucrh assays made by the old padres of 
Monterey cinnabar was discovered where 
New Idria now stands, and about 1854 or 
1855 the New Idria mine was located. 

The lode is a large body of ore, in some 
places having been worked to a width of two 
hundred feet. The vein has a general pitch 
toward the south of from forty-live to sixty 
degrees. 

The foot- wall is a"silico-argillaceous" slate. 
In the lower workings there is a dark-colored 
clay, from a few inches to a foot or more in 
thickness between it and the vein matter. 
The hanging-wall is a similar slate, but rather 
more compact in structure, often presenting 
a slicken-side surface toward the vein, and 
beincr easily broken into glossy laminae. 

The vein matter varies in different parts of 
the workings. The better grade of ore has 
been found in the highest and western portion 
of the mountain. Most of the gangue is hard 



and siliceous, but at some times it is slaty or 
of a clayey nature, often containing much 
oxide of iron. The ore richest in mineral is 
usually found toward the hanging- wall. Be- 
low the Day tunnel, as far as has yet been 
explored, the vein becomes poorer, and the 
gangue, which is at first siliceous or slaty, 
changes to a sandy character. The New Idria 
mines are all in the northeastern slope of the 
mountain, which rises to the height of about 
1,500 feet above the reduction works, which 
are situated at its base; the summit of the 
mountain is between 4,000 and 5,000 feet 
above sea level. There are over one and one- 
half miles of tunneling in the New Idria 
mines, not including the huge chambers which 
have been dug out in the heart of the mount- 
ain. 

The highest workings are the oldest, and 
are at the ridge of the mountain. These con- 
sist of an incline running down upon the vein 
to the Sleeman tunnel. This tunnel, which 
is about 900 feet above the reduction works, 
runs south into the mountain for a distance 
of 700 feet, and was made in 1859. About 
200 feet lower down is the Myers' tunnel, 
which was commenced in 1859 and finished 
in 1860. This penetrates the mountain to a 
distance of about 1,000 feet. It is from this 
tunnel and the Sleeman that the highest 
grade of ore and the largest quantities have 
been taken. 

The ore here also appears to be the most 
ferruginous, and at one point, where a small 
stream of water drips from the roof, there are 
to be seen stalactites of sulphate of iron. 



8Ay BEKITO COUNTY. 



123 



Upon the walls of all the upper workings, 
fibrous gypsum forms in beautiful tufts like 
glossy moss. Some 200 feet lower down, and 
about 600 feet above tlie reduction woi-ks, is 
the Day tunnel. This also was started in 
1859, and penetrated the mountain to a depth 
of 1,500 feet. This tunnel has been pro- 
longed outwardly by timber, in order to al- 
low dumping facilities for the work above, 
that otherwise would have covered up the 
mouth of the Day tunnel. The dump of the 
Myers' tunnel above has accumulated and slid- 
den down upon the prolongation until there 
are over 100 feet at the commencement of 
the Day tunnel running under this waste 
rock. 

All these workings, from the top of the 
mountain to the Day tunnel, constitute the 
upper portion of the mine, and are connected 
with each other by various tunnels and up- 
raises. About one hundred feet above the 
reduction works, and 500 feet below the Day 
tunnel, is the Bell tunnel, or lower workings, 
about 4,000 feet in length. This tunnel is 
timbered almtost througiiout its entire length 
with closely set timbers, there being over 
3,000 sets, with lagging both on the roof and 
sides. Each set requires a log twenty feet 
long and ten inches in diameter. The temper- 
ature in this tunnel is high, and the atmos- 
phere damp and oppressive. Whether it is 
the effect of the heat and moisture, or some 
gaseous exhalation of the formation is not 
known; but the timbers decay in an unusually 
short time, and two men are kept constantly 
employed jn replacing the old ones by new. 



This rapid decay is more marked during sul- 
try weather, when the draft in the tunnel is 
almost nil and the atmosphere oppressive. 
Timbers immersed in water, or those which 
are kept constantly wet by seepage, do not 
seem to be so affected. Dry, seasoned wood 
lasts the longest. Timbers, after having stood 
in place for only thirty-six hours, have ac- 
cumulated a mildew one inch in thickness. 

The furnaces of the New Idria mines are 
of the same style as those in use at the Idria, 
Austria, being square, about thirty feet in 
height, ten feet in width, and twelve feet in 
length. The furnace is fed at the top by 
means of a drop hopper, at the rate of one 
ton per hour, and holding twenty-four tons 
when full. There are employed two men to 
each shift of twelve hours on the furnace, and 
fifty men in and about the mines. The fuel 
used is almost entirely manzanita and oak, 
which is delivered at the furnace at $6.50 per 
cord, one cord being consumed every twenty- 
four hours. 

A-condensed history of the Mexican grant, 
" La Panoche Grande," on which these " New 
Idria quicksilver mines " were discovered, 
may be found in another part of this work. 

The enormous output of these mines, which 
are claimed only by a squatter's title (by a 
company composed largely of foreigners or 
of persons living in foreign countries) has 
enabled the claimants of the mines to con- 
test the title to the ranche for thirty-five 
years, notwithstanding the fact that said title 
has been pronounced genuine, and that a 
patent was ordered issued therefor nearly 



134 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



tliirtj years ago. The case is one of the most 
anoinalons in the history of this country. 



ANTIMONY. 



Antimony is found in the McLeod mining 
district, which is situated some fourteen 
miles northeast of Hollister, the county seat. 
The mines, which were discovered in 1861 are 
situated on the northern and Avestern slopes 
of Antimony mountain, which rises to the 
height of over 3,000 feet above sea level. 

The backbone and higher portions of Anti- 
mony mountain are formed of diorite, syenite 
and serpentine rocks, which penetrate a sand- 
stone at its base, and argillaceous slates upon 
its slope, in which the principal mineral- 
bearing veins are chiefly located. 

The Shriver and Ambrose are the principal 
antimony mines which have been worked. 
The ore fiora the latter contains 38 per cent 
metallic antimony, which sells in San Fran- 
cisco at 155 per ton. The former was bonded 
in 1890 for $35,000, the bonders paying |5 a 
ton on all antimony ore taken out. 



Valuable discoveries of coal have been made 
in numerous localities in San Benito county; 
as in the New Idria, Vallecitos and other dis- 
tricts. A variety of coal resembling jet has 
been found near Elkhorn, and good coal pros- 
pects are to be found on the Cienega Gabilan 
(Hawk swamp or marsh) ranche. The coal- 
bearing formations at Emmett were worked as 
early as 1878. The Bart coal mine, situated 



about 1,000 feet above the roadway north of 
Emmett, is developed by an incline and a 
cross-cut at the upper working andalOOfoot 
tunnel lower down. The incline commences 
on a small vein about three inches wide of 
black, lustrous lignite, much of which shows 
a woody structure. The working itself is in 
clay slate, of which both hanging and foot 
walls are composed. The pitch of the vein 
is to the northwest at an angle of about twenty 
degrees. At one place, about halfway down 
the main incline, the vein pinches out, but 
reappears shortly before reaching the cross- 
cut, which is at a depth of about thirty feet. 
The main incline is continued for about sixty 
feet farther, but has now caved. The cross-cut 
is continued to the west as an incline and fol- 
low the vein, which is from two to six 
inches in thickness. This cross-cut was filled 
with water to within a distance of thirty 
feet irom the main incline. At the wat- 
er's edge the vein is about six inches in 
diameter. Eighty feet below the mouth of 
the upper working is a tunnel, which has been 
started to connect with the incline and drain 
the upper workings of water. In this tunnel 
slate or conglomerate is encountered with 
small crystals of gypsum on the cleavage sur- 
face of the hard slate passed through. 

On Panoche creek, also upon the east side 
of the roadway, to the west of the well of the 
California Central Oil Company, some work 
has been done in the way of development. 
There appear to be three coal veins separated 
by strata of light-colored sandstone. These 
veins, the largest of which are over four feet 



SAJSr BENITO GOV NTT. 



thick, are composed of shale iuterstratified 
with seams of coal. 

On the Ashurst ranch in the Vallecitos, 
are several coal prospects, — probably a^ con- 
tinuation of the coal measures which crop out 
on the east side of the road near the central 
oil well. The formation is sandstone, occa- 
sionally iuterstratified with shale; in the up- 
per portion of the hills is a fossiliferous sand- 
stone containing Pecten and other shells. 
The coal measures are exposed at two places 
on this ranch in the channels of the creek. 
At one point the vein is about eighteen inches 
wide and dips a little to the east of south at 
an angle of about forty-five degrees. It is 
composed of black fissile shale mixed with 
carbonaceous matter and rests upon a stratum 
of clay about six inches thick, sliowing car- 
bonized plant remains; above the coal is a 
stratum of highly colored clay. In another 
portion of the same creek other veins are ex- 
posed. Crossing the New Idria section of 
the coast range, which here rises to the height 
of about 4,000 feet above sea level, the water- 
shed of San Benito creek is reached. 

On the western slope of the mountains, 
about three miles northeast of the creek, a 
large vein of coal is exposed. This vein was 
uncovered by a landslide, which occurred 
during wet weather in 1885. It is on the 
northern side of a ravine in the western 
slope of the New Idria section of the coast 
range. The vein of about six feet in thick- 
ness is exposed along its strike for a dis- 
tance of 100 feet, and dips to the north at 
an angle of ai)out forty degrees. The hang- 



ing-wall is a brownish shale, eighteen inches 
thick, containing gypsum. Above this wall 
are about eight inches of sandstone, stained 
with yellow oclierous impregnations, which 
is overlaid by a stratum of hard, ferruginous 
sandstone, a foot or more in thickness; and 
from that to the top of the bluff, probably 
200 feet, the formation is a gray, friable 
sandstone, iuterstratified with pebbles, some- 
times increasing to the size of small boulders 
and strata of hard, iron-stained sandstone a 
few inches in thickness. The coal appears to 
be of good quality, and resembles that in the 
Vallecitos. These croppiugs are partly on 
Government land and partly on land belong- 
ing to the Southern Pacific Railway Company. 
There is no doubt that a careful investigation 
will discover similar formations in other spurs 
and hills on the western slope of the same 
mountain. 

PETROLEUM. 

The oil-bearing strata of San Benito county 
have as yet been only partially prospected. 
A well has been bored by the California Cen- 
tral Oil Company in the Vallecitos mining 
district. The road to this district from Pa- 
noche lies through Grizzly canon, a treeless, 
desolate section of country, where the erosive 
action of the winter's storms, cloudbursts, 
and atmospheric agencies, are strikingly 
demonstrated in the precipitous banks of the 
dry watercourses, the gaping crevasses in 
the alluvial soil, and the grotesque shapes 
into which the sandstones and softer rocks 
are worn. 



S^jV BENITO COUNTY. 



The works of the oil company are situated 
about eight miles from Panoche. Work was 
commenced here in 1886, and suspended 
during the following year. It is said that 
the company expended §20,000 on their 
works, and that their well, which was sunk 
to a depth of 400 feet, has partially caved. 
The boring was through a light-colored sand- 
stone, which became quite white toward the 
bottom, where a small quantity of oil was 
struck. 

In the canon to the north is a spring of 
dark-colored oil, and oil also seeps through 
the bed and bank of the creek at several 
places, as well as on the Ashurst ranch in 
this district. 

LIME. 

Lime is extensively manufactured at Cien- 
ega, in the Gabilan mountains, sixteen miles 
south of Hollister; and excellent limestone 
also occurs in the Twitchell range, nine miles 
west of Hollister, where it has been burnt in 
pot kilns. The Twitchell kilns furnished the 
lime used in building the Hollister court- 
house. 

The geological formation of the neighbor- 
hood is entirely metamorphic, the rocks of 
the vicinity being principally granitoid, to- 
o-ether with altered limestone. The latter is 
a beautiful crystalline variety, which yields 
an excellent quality of lime, and is in great 
demand, especially for plastering and brick 
work. The strata of limestone in the quarry 
appear much disturbed, pitching southwest 
at an angle of sixty-five degrees upon the west 
side of the quarry, and upon the north side 



to the northwest at an angle of forty-live de- 
grees. Before reaching the line, a body of 
decomposed grantic rock was cut through for 
a few feet, and the clays and shales which sep- 
arated the strata of limestone previous to the 
metamorphic action, are strangely diversified, 
some being chalky, others slaty, while a few 
feet off they are granitic. The hill, at the 
foot of which the quarry is situated, rises to 
the height of over 2,000 feet above sea level, 
being about 700 feet above the quarry. The 
limestone crops out at various places among 
the chemisal almost to the summit. 

Further to the northwest granitic rocks 
make their appearance in a ridge running 
north-northeast by south-southwest, and a 
short distance up the canon from precipitous 
cliffs. Immediately at the point of contact 
between the ridge of granitic rocks and the 
limestone, is a spring of water and an appear- 
ance of vein matter. One great peculiarity 
of the granitic rocks of this locality is their 
singular stratified appearance. 

A few yards to the south of the quarry are 
the (perpetual) lime kilns. These kilns are 
upright, tapering toward the top, thirty-one 
feet high, and having a circumference at the 
level of the fireplaces, of forty-two feet with 
an inside diameter of four and one-half feet 
at the same level. The charging floor is 
twenty-one feet above the tiring floor, where 
two fireplaces heat the kiln ; the point of dis- 
charge is ten feet lower down. The kilns are 
two in number and have a capacity of about 
fifty barrels each twenty-four hours, each 
kiln consuming two and one-half cords of 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



137 



wood. The wood used is pitch pine, costing 
$2.50 per cord delivered at the kiln, and the 
wages paid to the seven employes is from 
$50 to $60 per month. The lime can be de- 
livered at the Tres Pinos railroad station for 
$1.30 per barrel. 

A copper mine called the Antelope has 
been opened about fourteen miles east of 
Emmett, on the east side of the Panoche 
section of the coast range. 

Chromite is found near New Idria, and in 
many other localities, but all at present are 
too far from railroad communication to make 
the deposits of commercial value. 

There is a large body of hematite near 
Cienega, and gypsum is found in the south 
end of the county. 

CHAPTER III. 

EAKLT HISTORY. 

PUT little was known of the interior of 
California prior to the commencement 
of the mission era, or 1769, although 
various navigators had sailed along the Cali- 
fornia coast, as recounted elsewhere in this 
volume, during the period intervening be- 
tween the time of its discovery by Cabrillo, 
in 1642, and the advent of the Franciscan 
missionaries. 

The Indians had roamed through the 
mountains and plains of this western coast 
for unknown ages, living a degraded life, but 
little above the level of that of the wild ani- 
mals indigenous to this region. Of their 
origin or history there is no record. Aside 
from the story of the rocks, and the vague 



lesson taught by the topography of the 
country, we know absolutely nothing of Alta 
California prior to 1642; nor indeed but very 
little until the latter part of the eighteenth 
century. The historical period, therefore, 
may be said to commence with the founding 
of the missions. 

During Father Junipero Serra's able ad- 
ministration, nine missions had been founded 
in Alta or Upper California. These missions 
had gathered many Indians into their folds, 
or had brought them under their control; 
and they had also acquired considerable 
wealth in the form of cattle, horses, sheep 
and other useful animals, and in grain, etc. ; 
and also, four presidios or military appen- 
dages of the missions had been established 
by the government for the protection of the 
latter; so that the missionary establishments 
may be said to have had the territory along 
the coast, at least, practically under their 
control. 

After the death of the pioneer president of 
the missions, Father Junipero Serra, in 1784, 
Father Palou, the senior priest in California, 
who had filled Father Junipero's place 
during his absence, became acting president 
till the appointment of a successor in the 
person of Father Fermin Francisco Lasuen of 
San Diego, in honor of whom Point Fermin 
was named. 

The policy of establishing missions in 
eligible localities was continued under the 
presidency of F'ather Lasuen, in accordance 
with orders of Governor Borica. Expeditions 
were sent out from different missions, for the 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



purpose of finally fixing the locations for 
these new missions. 

In November, 1795, Friar Danti and 
Lieutenant Sal and party set out from Monte- 
rey to explore the San Benito valley, and 
they found two suitable places, — one on the 
San Benito river, and the other near the site 
of the present town of Gilroy. President Las- 
nen reported these to Governor Borica, who 
embodied the same in his report to the vice- 
roy. As two sites had been recommended 
for the mission between San Carlos and Santa 
Clara, a further examination was ordered, and 
the site on San Benito river was chosen. 

Here, on St. John's day, June 24, 1797, 
was founded the mission of San Juan Bau- 
tista (St. John the Baptist), so named to 
distinguish it from the mission already estab- 
lished, of San Juan Capistrano, which was 
named after an entirely different personage 
or saint. 

President Lasuen appointed, as the first 
ministers of the new mission, "Los R. R. P. 
P., Pred'res, App. cos, Fr. Jesef de Mortea- 
rena, y Fr. Pedro Adriano Martines;" i. e., 
the reverend prelates, preachers apostolical, 
friars, etc., etc. 

A few years after, or on the 13th of June, 
1803, the corner-stone of a church building 
was laid. Among the names of the persons 
who took part in the ceremonies of laying 
the corner-stone of this church, almost ninety 
years ago, were Padre Viader, conductor of 
ceremonies, Jose de la Guerra, padrino., and 
Captain Font and Surgeon Morelas. A record 
of the proceedings and a few coins were de- 



posited in the corner-stone. An image of the 
patron saint of the mission, St. John the Bap- 
tist, was placed on the high altar in 1809; 
and on the 25th of June, 1812, or nine years 
after the corner-stone was laid, the church 
was dedicated, the records of the mission, 
noting the contemporary facts, of "Fernando 
VII (whom God preserve!) being king of 
Spain; Don Fernando Venegas, viceroy of 
New Spain (Mexico); Jose Joaquin Arrilkga, 
governor of California; Esteban Tapis, presi- 
dent of the missions in California, and Fr. 
Felipe de la Cuesta, minister at the mis- 
sion." 

Probably the buildings, including the 
church, warehouses, etc., as they exist at the 
present day, afford a fair idea of the mission 
establishment as it appeared during the early 
part of the century, less the busy and numer- 
ous neophyte actors and the missionary 
fathers under whom they labored. These 
buildings, of course, show the effects of time 
and the action of the elements; nevertheless, 
they are still in a fair state of preservation, 
and they show plainly, even to this late day, 
that their designers and builders were wise 
managers in temporal affairs, as well as faith- 
ful and devoted teachers of the spiritual doc- 
trines which they believed in. 

Some distance from the church were two 
rows of buildings, about 300 feet in length, 
under a common roof, with a passage-way 
between them, divided into many rooms, each 
entirely separate from the others, in which 
the neophytes were shut up nights, sepa- 
rately. 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



These Indian abode quarters long ago dis- 
solved into earth mounds, which now are all 
that is left to mark their locality. The 
church buildings were so planned as to in- 
close an area some 200 feet square, in which 
the friars and their wards were safe from 
all outside enemies. A story is told that 
beneath the fallen wall on the west side of 
this square, sixty Spanish silver dollars of 
ancient dates were found. The San Juan 
church was built of adobes and slack-burnt 
bricks — the latter being twelve inches by 
eight inches, by two inches thick, and being 
baked in a slow lire were very durable. The 
plan of the building is in the form of a cross; 
being 140 feet long, thirty feet wide, and 
forty feet to the ceiling, with a tile roofing. 
There are three altars, the principal one 
dedicated to St. John the Baptist, with a 
life-size statue of this titular saint, at the 
end of the nave of the church, and an altar 
on each side of the transept. The walls are 
four feet thick, braced with brick abutments 
outside when over twenty feet long, and 
plastered with lime mortar. 

The church formerly had a chime of nine 
very line-toned bells, cast in Peru, only one 
of which is now remaining in the building. 

Of the venerable ten -acre mission orchard, 
only the old pear trees still live and bear fruit; 
and but a very few hardy olive trees are 
left of the olive orchard about a mile south 
of the church; while the vineyard disappeared 
many years ago. 

According to the church records, over 
4,000 bodies are buried in the cemetery ad- 



joining the north wall of the church. Friar 
Esteban Tapis, who labored as a missionary 
in Alta California thirty-five years, died at 
this mission, November 4, 1825, and was 
buried under the chancel floor of the cluirch. 
He had been in charge, successively, of the 
missions of Santa Clara,, Santa Cruz, Santa 
Barbara, Santa Ynez, San Carlos and San 
Juan Bautista. The books of the church 
show that tlie number of Indians baptized 
amounted in all to 3,981. 

Humboldt reports that at the time of his 
visit to California, in 1802, there were at 
the mission 530 male and 428 female In- 
dian neophytes, or 958 in all. As a center 
of activity of nearly 1,000 human beings, 
we can imagine that it presented a vastly 
different scene from what it does now. As 
indicating the number of Indians in that 
neighborhood, at that period, it may be men- 
tioned that within three and a half years 
after the founding of San Juan Mission, 
nearly 650 Indians had been baptized, and 
that there were twenty-three rancherias, or 
Indian villages, within tliat jurisdiction. 

The numerous Indian tribes of the dis- 
trict annoyed the mission by various un- 
friendly acts from time to time; and Ser- 
geant Castro was sent out by Governor 
Borica with sufficient force to chastise them, 
and to partially check their depredations. 

The prosperity and fertility of the country 
around San Juan are shown by the fact that 
during the first three years the increase of 
ganado mayor (large cattle or animals) be- 
longing to the mission amounted to over 700 



SAN BENITO COUNTY- 



head, and the ganado menor, or smaller 
animals, exceeded 2,000 head; while 2,700 
bushels of grain were produced in the year 
1800. 

In October, 1800, numerous earthquake 
shocks were felt; and especially on the eight- 
eenth of that month, a very severe one oc- 
curred, causing considerable damage to the 
adobe buildings standing at the time, an ac- 
count of which, as noticed at San Juan 
Bautista, is given in a letter of the Captain 
of the presidio of Monterey to Governor Ar- 
rillaga, on October 31, 1800: "I have to in- 
form your Excellency that the mission of 
San Juan Bautista, since the lltli inst., has 
been visited by severe earthquakes; that 
Pedro Adriano Martinez, one of the Fathers 
of said mission, has informed me that during 
one day there were six severe shocks ; that 
there is not a single habitation, although 
built with double walls, that has not been in- 
jured from roof to foundation, and that all 
are threatened with ruin; and that the fathers 
are compelled to sleep in the wagons to avoid 
danger, since the houses are not habitable. At 
the place where the rancheria is situated, 
some small openings have been observed in 
the earth, and also in the neighborhood of 
the river Pajaro, there is another deep open- 
ing, all resulting from the earthquakes. 
These phenomena have tilled the fathers and 
inhabitants of that mission with consterna- 
tion. 

"The lieutenant, Don Kaymundo Carrillo, 
has assured me the same, for on the eight- 
eenth he stopped for the night at this mis- 



sion (San Juan) on his journey from San Jose 
and being at supper with one of the fathers, 
a shock was felt, so powerful, and attended 
with such a loud noise, as to deafen them, 
when they fled to the court without finishing 
their supper; and that about 11 o'clock at 
night the shock was repeated with almost 
equal force. 

"The fathers of the missions say that the 
Indians assure them that there have always 
been earthquakes at that place, and that there 
are certain cavities caused by earthquakes, 
from which salt water has flowed. 

"All of which I communicate to you for 
your information. 

"May our Lord preserve your life many 



"Heemenegildo Sal. 
"Monterey, October 31, 1800." 
Old records recite that in 1800 the San 
Juan Indians sent three carts, nine yoke of 
oxen, nine horses and fifteen Indians to Mon- 
terey, when an attack from foreign vessels 
was feared, for which they were remunerated by 
order of the viceroy to encourage or stimu- 
late zeal in the future in like cases. 

Disagreements between the missions and 
settlers, and eventually between missions and 
the government, commenced early and from 
time to time caused more or less friction. It 
is recorded that in 1802 the clerical authori- 
ties of San Juan Bautista were directed to 
remove their stock from land claimed un- 
der a grant, Mariano Castro; but the matter 
being appealed to the viceroy, that oflicer 
decided in favor of the mission. 



SAN BENITO COUNTT. 



In the year 1806, an exploring parly, con- 
sisting of twenty-five men under lieutenant 
Moraga, was sent out from San Juan Bautista 
to explore the Tulare country, and incidentally 
to find suitable sites for new missions. Friar 
Pedro Munos accompanied the expedition, and 
kept a diary of the same. Leaving San Juan 
September 21, in an easterly direction, 
Moraga crossed the San Joaquin river and 
went north down the valley of that name, and 
continued his explorations twelve or fourteen 
days; and then turned about and traveled 
south on the east side of the valley, and fin- 
ally, about November 1, reached the mission 
of San Fernando. 

The report of this and other expeditions, 
by Father Tapis, for the year 1805 and 1806, 
says, twenty-four ranclierias, with an aggre- 
gate of over 5,000 Indians, had been visited; 
and that but four or five sites were found be- 
tween San Miguel and San Fernando suitable 
for the location of new missions, which, if 
established would require a new presidio. 

The mission church at San Juan Bautista 
was finished and dedicated June 23, 1812; 
Manuel Gutierrez, of Los Angeles, standing 
as sponsor {^padrino), aided by the padres of 
San Jos^ and Santa Clara. 

The next ten years were apparently un- 
eventful ones at San Juan. Occasional expe- 
ditions were sent out to punish neighboring, 
unfriendly or thieving Indians, or to bring in 
converts. According to the archives, in 1815 
or '16, Corporal Jose Dolores Pico, of San 
Juan, who went ont with a small force after 



runaways, was badly wounded in a fight with 
the Indians. 

Mention is also made of an expedition un- 
der one Soto against the Mariposas, which 
brought in to the San Juan Mission some 300 
Indians. 

The estimated population of this mission, 
San Jnan Bautista, at the beginning of this 
century, was about 1,000, mostly Christanized 
Indians. 

Humboldt, who visited California in 1802, 
estimated the population of Alta California, 
whites and mulattoes, 1,300; converted Indians 
15,560. 

Dwindle tells us that in 1834, or 65 years 
after the founding of San Diego, over 30,000 
Indian converts were lodged in the buildings 
of the twenty-one missions of California; over 
700,000 head of cattle of various species, be- 
sides 60,000 horses, pastured on the plains; 
180,000 bushels of grain, mostly wheat, were 
produced annually, besides large quantities of 
wine, brandy, wool, oil, etc. 

The mission of San Juan Bautista owned 
in 1820 over 40,000 head of cattle, nearly 
1,400 tame horses, 4,800 mares, fillies and 
colts, and about 70,000 head of sheep. Indians, 
under the control of this mission, employed 
more than 300 yoke of work oxen in carrying 
on its extensive farming operations. 

In 1818, and again in 1828, the Spanish 
Cortez decreed the secularization of missions 
in all Spanish Colonies. The Mexican Con- 
gress, August 17, 1833, passed a secularization 
law, which was effectually enforced within 
two or three years thereafter. 



133 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



CHAPTER lY. 

DECADENCE OF THE MISSIONS. 

fROM the commencement of the era of 
Mexican independence, in 1822, or per- 
haps a little later, till the acquisition of 
California by the United States, the missions 
gradually declined, the policy of Mexico, after 
attaining independence, being to encourage 
the settlement of the country, which made 
necessary the curtailment, and finally the 
secularization, of the missions. 

From about 1825 or 1830, to 1846, a large 
and increasing number of persons, who became 
settlers, had been pouring into California; 
these included Mexicans by land and by sea, 
American trappers and hunters, who had 
emerged from the deserts east of the Sierras ; 
Russians from Russian America; sailors and 
adventurers of all nationalities, who had es- 
caped from merchant ships, or who had been 
left here at their own request; and occasion- 
ally a citizen of the Eastern States more 
venturesome or more restless than his neigh- 
bors. 

With the coming of Mexicans, and of 
foreigners who became Mexican citizens, 
naturally there arose a demand for land ; and 
as the missions practically claimed all the 
land, although they occupied it only by per- 
mission of the government, these citizens com- 
plained to the authorities of the difficulty of 
acquiring land to cultivate or to live on. 

Governor Figueroa and some of his suc- 
cessors sought to distribute the lands of Alta 
California to the Indian neophytes in sever- 



alty. But these attempts were utterly im- 
practicable, and of course were utter failures: 
first, because the Indians were incapable of 
self-government; and second, this plan left 
no room for the settlement of the territory 
by Mexican citizens and foreigners, in other 
words, by (j/ente de razon (literary people of 
reason) who were capable of developing the 
country, and of local self-government, which 
is what Mexico desired. The logic of the 
situation plainly required the secularization 
of the missions long before that policy cul- 
minated in the passage of the law of 1883. 

Therefore, it is a matter of congratulation 
and commendation, instead of censure and 
regret, that the United States Land Commis- 
sion and United States Courts followed both 
the spirit and the letter of the Mexican law 
in their decisions concerning the tenure of 
title to lands in California. 

The original aim of both the Spanish and 
Mexican Governments, of converting the 
California missions into pueblos or towns, 
having, by actual trial, for more than half a 
century, proved a palpable failure, the alter- 
native policy of granting the public lands of 
the territory to actual settlers, who were 
capable of governing themselves without 
the aid of paternal or clerical guardians, was 
finally forced on the Mexican Government. 

In looking back, we can now clearly see 
that this policy ought to have been adopted 
long before. Therefore, it was plain that if 
California was to ever have a future — with 
her magnificent natural resources and climate 
unequaled anywhere in the world — it must 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



be by a system other than that under which 
the inhabitants were little better than peones, 
or, more properly speaking, wards, who were 
incapable of becoming full-fledged, self- 
sustaining, self-governing citizens. 

Hence, a change from a monastic to a 
civil, — from a religious to a political system 
of government of the Territory, — became a 
necessity. Hence the necessity of secular- 
izing the lands, i. e., providing for the grant- 
ing of legal titles to lands to actual occupants 
— which in reality was what secularization 
meant; the tenure of ownership of the soil 
was to vest thenceforth in men, able to per- 
form their civic duties as citizens and capa- 
ble of building up a commonwealth, instead 
of in children, in trust, who must ever de- 
pend upon overseers (either clerical or sec- 
ular) to manage for them. 

Certainly, three-quarters of a century was 
long time enough in which to try the exper- 
iment of testing whether the Indians of the 
Californias were capable of building up a 
State or not. 

MEXICAN LAND GRANTS. 

The following is a list of confirmed land 
grants wholly or partly in San Benito county, 
with names of confirmes, dates and numbers 
of acres each. 



NAME OP GRANT. 


Date 


. Acres. 




Gbanteeb. 


Aromitae y Agua Caliente 


1835 


8,659 


F 


A 


MacDougall,etal. 


Ausaymae y San Felipe, 


1S33 


11,744 






P. P. Pacheco 


Bolsa de San Felipe, 


1840 


6,795 






F. P. Pacheco 


CienegQ del Gatilan, 


1843 


21,874 






J. D. Carr 


Cienega de los Paicines, 


18J3 


8,917 






A Castro, et al 


Los Carneros, 


1842 


236 


F.A. 


MacDcugall, etal. 


Llano del Tequisquite, 


1835 


16,016 






Sanchez heirs 


Lomerias Muertae. 


1842 


6,660 






Sanchez heirs 


L08 Vergeles, 


1835 


2,085 






James Stokes 


MisBion S. Jnan Bautista, 


1797 


55 


[ 




Bishop, etc. 
J. S. Alemanj 



NAMB OF QRAMT. 



Date. Acres. 



Grantees. 



Real de los Aqnilas, 1844 31,052 F.A. Mac Dougnll, etal. 

San Antonio, 1846 4,493 M. Larios 

Santa Ana y Qaien Sabe, 1839 48,822 M. Larios, et al. 

San Joaquin, 1836 7,425 C. Cervantez 

San Justo, 1&39 34,619 F. P. Pacheco 

San Lorenzo. 1846 23,813 R. Sanchez 

Tract near Missions. Juan 1839 401 P. Breen 

The status of Panoche Grande, about 17,000 acres, 

18'14, to V. P -Gomez is given elsewhere. 
Total area of Mexican grants, 232,100 acres 

Total area of public lands, 442,900 " 

Total area of S Benito county, 



676,000 



CHAPTER V. 

CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT. 

fHE quiet of San Juan Bautista Mission 
was disturbed by the events attending and 
immediately succeeding the change from 
Mexican to United States rule. Shortly after 
the raising of the American flag at Monterey, 
July 7, 1846, and at the other important 
points a few days later, Castro, with such dis- 
affected forces as he could save from the gen- 
eral demoralization that began to set in, 
withdrew to San Juan; but he did not re- 
main there long as, on the 17th of July, Fre- 
mont and his liattalion arrived there from 
the north, and the same day Fauntleroy and 
a squad of dragoons reached there, where- 
upon the American flag was raised, thus com- 
pleting the conquest of this portion of Cali- 
fornia. 

On the 19th, the battalion started for 
Monterey, leaving a small force at San Juan. 
A little later Captain Fauntleroy with fifty 
men was sent from Monterey to relieve the 
force left at San Juan by Fremont. While 
stationed there an expedition was sent out 
against Indian horse-thieves, with whom it 
had a fight, in which several Indians were 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



killed and the horses stolen were recovered. 
In October, Fanntleroy's men having been 
called elsewhere, a small force under Mad- 
dox was sent to San Juan, where they spiked 
the iron cannon which had been left there, 
and took away the brass cannon to keep them 
from falling into the hands of the Califor- 
nians. 

About the middle of November several re- 
cruiting parties for Fremont's battalion 
arrived with men and horses at San Juan Bau- 
tista. Consul Larkin, while on his way 
from Monterey to San Francisco, was capt- 
ured at Gomez ranch, Los Verjeles, where 
he stopped for the night, by a band of Cas- 
tro's Calitbrnians led by Chavez, and taken to 
Castro's camp, the object evidently being to 
use him as an exchange for some of their own 
patroled men who had been captured. The 
Californians entertained a plan of attacking 
San Juan, and they endeavored, but of course 
to no avail, to get Larkin to aid them in the 
scheme. Their plan, it would seem, contem- 
plated a feigned attack on San Juan by a few 
men for the purpose of drawing out the gar- 
rison in pursuit, which they then thought they 
could overcome with their principal force. A 
severe fight ensued at the Natividad ranch) 
in which several men were killed and more 
wonnded on both sides. In the meantime 
word was sent to Monterey, and Fremont 
immediately hastened to the rescue; and the 
Californians having withdrawn, he gathered 
his varones at San Juan, where the battalion's 
organization was completed and preparations 
were made for a march south against the foe 



The course taken was up the San Benito and 
over into the Salinas valley, and thence to 
San Luis Obispo, which latter place was 
captured without opposition. 

Here Jesus Pico, who had been captured 
at Wilson's ranch, was tried by court martial 
for having broken his parole in the San Juan 
and Natividad campaign. He was found 
guilty and sentenced to be shot. But the 
pathetic appeal of his wife and fourteen 
children, and of many other women, her 
neighbors and of some of Fremont's own 
officers who had been formerly befriended by 
Pico, caused Fremont to relent and to grant 
him a pardon. Pico thereafter became the 
grateful and sincere friend of the man who 
had thus saved his life. Pico died quite 
recently. 

CHAPTER VI. 

AMERICAN SETTLEMENT OF SAN BENITO VALLEY. 

fNE of the first American settlements in 
the San Benito valley was begun by Jacob 
Watson in 1854, near the site of the pres- 
ent town of Hollister. Prior to that time the 
valley was occupied as a stock range by the 
owners of Mexican land grants. The neigh- 
boring foot-hills and mountain ranges were 
the home of deer, antelope and bear. From 
1861 to 1870 much of the valley now used as 
a sheep range, the Ilollisters and Flint, and 
Bixby & Co., having engaged in breeding 
improved sheep in tliis section, which was 
then a portion of Monterey county. 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



COUNTY DIVISION. 

The rapid settlement of the extensive and 
fertile San Benito valley and the valleys tribu- 
tary thereto, which were separated from the 
rest of Monterey county by the Gabilan 
range of mountains, developed interests which 
centered in the new communities, and out of 
which grew, very naturally, a desire by the 
people to manage for themselves their own 
local affairs. The first attempt to divide 
Monterey county, by having San Eenito set 
ofl by itself as a separate political division, 
was made in the legislature of 1869-'70; but 
the opposition interposed by the resident por- 
tion of the present old county caused the 
movement to fail at this time. Nevertheless, 
it continued to gain strength from many and 
legitimate causes. The contest became a 
very heated one for the time being, swallow- 
ing up all other issues. The .people living 
east of the Gabilan insisted thai they were 
entitled to a division, and they were almost 
unanimously determined to have it. The 
election of a representative in the legislature 
turned on this one issue. The question was di- 
vision or no division, Kepublicans and Demo- 
crats forgetting their party affiliations. But 
though the "new-county" people were still 
in the minority, they did not give up the 
fight. They returned again to the charge in 
the next election, and won by a small ma- 
jority. The contest was carried to the As- 
sembly and then to the Senate, in each of 
which houses the divisionists won, and then 
to the governor, who after some hesitation 



signed the l>ill, and thus, finally, in March 
1874, the act creating the new county became 
a law. By this act the governor was author- 
ized and directed to appoint five commission- 
ers who were charged with the organization 
of the new county. The names of the com- 
missioners appointed were: T. S. Hawkins, 
Jesse Whitton, Mark Pomeroy, John Breen 
and H. M. Hayes. This commission met at 
the town of Hollister, February 18, 1874, 
and organized by electing John Breen as 
president, and H. M. Hayes as secretary. 

The new county was subdivided into four 
townships, viz.: Hollister, San Juan, San 
Benito and Paicines, and three supervisorial 
districts, numbered one, two and three. Dis- 
trict number one, comprised Hollister town- 
ship; number two, San Juan township; and 
number three, San Benito and Paicines town- 
ships. The new officers were to be appointed 
by the governor or filled by special election. 
James F. Breen, who had resigned the judge- 
ship of Monterey county, was appointed by 
the governor to the same position in San 
Benito county, while the commissioners, 
under provisions of the organic act, ordered 
a special election on the 26th day of March, 
1874, whereat the required county officers 
were to be chosen, and the county seat was to 
be permanently located by popular vote. 

At this election the following officers were 
elected, viz.: Siieriff and ex officio tax col- 
lector, Benjamin F. Ross; clerk and recorder, 
H. M. Hayes; district attorney, N. N. Briggs; 
treasurer, T. McMahon; assessor, Haydeu 
Dowdy; surveyor, F. P. McCrary; school 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



superintendent, H. Z. Morris; coroner and 
pulilic administrator, J. M. Black; super- 
visors: district No. 1, Mark Pomeroy; dis- 
trict No. 2, Thomas Flint; district No. 3, 
D. J. Watson. 

Under the provisions of an amended act of 
the Legislature, approved March 10, 1876, 
the boards of supervisors of the old and new 
counties jointly selected a commission of five 
members, — two by Monterey, two by San 
Benito, and the fifth by the judge of the 
twentieth judicial district court, — which met 
at Salinas city, inventoried and appraised the 
property and assets of each county, ascer- 
tained the amount of indebtedness of Mon- 
terey county, on the 12th day of February, 
1874, the date on which the act creating San 
Benito county became a law. The commis- 
sioners deducted the total value of assets of both 
counties from the total indebtedness, which 
exceeded the assets, and ascertained the pro- 
portion of the debt due from San Benito 
county to be §5,808.56. for which amount 
bonds bearing interest at the rate of seven 
per cent per annum, and payable in five 
years, were issued, and made payable to the 
order of Monterey county. The principle is 
sound in the division of a partnership or of 
a county, that each partner shall assume his 
or its proportion of the existing indebtedness. 

CHAPTER VII. 

SAN BENITO COUNTY IN 1892. 

f AN Benitocounty constitutes one judicial 
district, of which Hon. James F. Breen 
is the superior judge. The other county 
officers are: John L. Hudner, district attor 



ney; C. C. Cargill, assemblyman; E. E. Hol- 
brook, sherifl^aiid ex officio tax collector; Rody 
Shaw, county clerk, ex officio recorder, and 
auditor ; D. V. McPhail, assessor; E. B. Mont- 
gomery, treasurer; J. N. Thompson, school 
superintendent; W. K. Brown, surveyor; 
D. McCarty, public administrator and cor- 
oner. 

The county is now divided into five super- 
visor districts, and the following are the 
present supervisors: D. Snibley, district No. 
1; Luis Raggio, district No. 2; G. S. Nash, 
district No. 3; A. J. Chaney, district No. 4; 
M. F.' Finch, chairman, district No. 5. 

The county courthouse at HoUister, the 
county seat, was erected in 1887, and cost 
about $45,000. It is a two-story edifice 
with baseraeut and tower; the walls are of 
brick, stuccoed; its site is on a lot 300x200 
feet, fronting on Monterey street, between 
b'ourth and Fifth streets. The courthouse 
has entrances on three sides, by fourteen 
granite steps, with columned porches. In 
the northwest rear corner of the grounds 
stands a substantial one-story brick jail, cost- 
ing about §10,000, which, though neatly and 
carefully kept, appears (to the credit of the 
community be it said) to be poorly patron- 
ized. 

The grounds of the courthouse are sur- 
rounded by an ornamental iron fence; and 
on three sides, outside the cement walks, 
are some thirty beautiful bright-green, ever- 
graceful "umbrella trees," which, with the 
grass plat surrounding the building, give the 
San Benito courthouse and grounds a unique 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



appearance during a greater portion of the 
year, which is as rare as it is beautiful. There 
are also a few palm and other ornamental 
trees interspersed within and around the 
yard, but not of such numbers or size as to 
interrupt the view from within or without 
the grounds. 

The county has built three bridges, costing 
in the aggregate about $25,000. 

SAN BENITO COUNTY SCHOOLS. 

The following facts and figures concerning 
the rising generation of the county, are 
significant and interesting. They are taken 
from the annual report for the year ending 
June 30, 1892, of Superintendent of Schools 
J. N. Thompson. 

The school census for 1892 shows the 
number of children in the county to be: 

Between five and seventeen — white, 1,029 
boys, and 1,043 girls — 2,072. Between five 
and seventeen — negroes, 6 boys, and 7 girls 
—13; total, 2,085. Under five— white, 661; 
Mongolian, 2; total, 663. Total number of 
census children under seventeen, 2,748. 

The nativity of these is as follows: 2,708 
were native born, and 40 were foreign born. 

The number of children between five and 
seventeen who attended public school at any 
time in the school year, 1,542; or private 
school at any time in the school year, 153. 
Number who have not attended school during 
the school year, 390 ; total 2,085. 

Number of teachers or classes — grammar, 
11; primary, 43. Total, 54. 

Number of pupils enrolled — boys, 921; 
girls, 785. Total, 1,706. 



Average number belonging, 1,128; average 
daily attendance, 1,049. 

Percentage of attendance on number be- 
longing, 93. 

Number months of school maintained, 
average, 8^. 

Grammar grade — number enrolled, 503; 
primary grade — number enrolled 1,203 ; to- 
tal, 1,706. 

Sex of teachers — males, 15; females, 39; 
total, 54. 

Monthly salary paid, average, $65. 

Monthly salary paid male teachers, average, 
175. 

Monthly salary paid female teachers, aver- 
age, $61. 

Annual salary paid county superintendent, 
11,500. 

Number of teachers, graduates of Califor- 
nia State normal schools, 11; number of 
teachers, graduates of other State normal 
schools, 2; number of teachers who hold life 
diplomas, 11; number of teachers who hold 
State educational diplomas, 7; number of 
teachers who hold high school certificates, 2; 
number of teachers who hold county certifi- 
cates, first grade, 30; number of teachers 
who hold county certificates, second grade, 
22. 

CTJERENT EXPENS|;8 AND RECEIPTS. 

Amount paid for teachers' salaries, |29,- 
179.61; amount paid for rents, repairs, fuel, 
etc., 13,902.02; amount paid for school 
libraries, $884.72; amount paid for school 
apparatus, $101.80; amount paid for sites, 



138 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



buildings and furnishings, 19,173.80; total, 
$43,241.95. 

RECEIPTS. 

Balance, July 1, 1891, $9,664.75; from 
State, $16,100.96; from county, $17,837.50; 
from city and district taxes, ^31,784.23; 
from subscription, etc., 193.18. Total, |75,- 
480.62 ; balance on hand, June 30, 1892, 
$32,238.67. 

SCHOOL PEOPERTY. 

Value of school lots, buildings and furniture, $50,475 

Value of school libraries 8,315 

Value of apparatus 3,695 

Total $62,385 

Number of volumes in school libraries 7,967 

Aggregate indebtedness of districts of county. ..$31,033 

Number of public scboolhouses in county 43 

Rate cf county school tax 29.4centsper $100 

Assessment roll $6,113,050 

Total drawn from unapportioned county fund : 
Institute, $98.90 ; postage, binding, etc., $63..50; $162,40 
Number of private schools in county, 2 ; private teach- 
ers, 6. Number of pupils in private schools, average 
attendance, 120. 

CODNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. 

Term expires 
Frank B. Abbe, San Juan, president, June 30, 1894 
J. N. Thompson, Hollister, secretary, January 7, 1895 
J. B. Hankenson, " June 30, 1894 

John Paterson, " June 30, 1893 

Thomas H. Slaven, Paicines, June 30, 1898 

EEPOET OF FIEST SCHOOL SUPEEINTENDENT. 

H. Z. Morris, the first superintendent after 
the organization of San Benito county, for 
the school year ending June 30, 1874, ei<^lit- 
een years ago, gives in his report these items, 
which are of interest by contrast: There 
were fourteen school districts; Hollister had 
four teachers; San Juan and Jefferson, two 



each; and the other districts each had one, 
making nineteen teachers in all. 

There were 703 boys and 636 girls, or a 
total of 1,339 children, between five and 
seventeen, in the new county, besides 711 
under five years of age, all of whom, if still 
living, must be now men and women grown. 

The population of San Benito county, ac- 
cording to the federal census, was in 1890, 
6,412. In 1892 it must be 8,000 or more, 
or three times at least the number (2,748) 
of school census children in the county, under 
seventeen years of age. 

The population by race as reported by the 
superintendent of the eleventh census, was: 
whites, 6,223; Chinese, 85; Indians, 50; col- 
ored. 54; total, 6,412. 

The vote for governor in 1890 was: Mark- 
ham, 683; Pond, 850; Bidwell, 83; total, 
1,616. 

The population of towns was: 

1880 1890 

Hollister 1,034 1,234 

San Benito 672, 1,129 

San Juan 484, 463 

A. T. Butler is postmaster of Hollister. 
The annual receipts of the office are |3,770. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

By the act of the Legislature of March 11, 
1891, San Benito county was made a part of 
the Seventh Congressional District; and by 
the same act it was made, with Monterey 
county, to constitute the Thirty-third Sena- 
torial District; and the Fifty-ninth Assembly 
District was made to consist of Merced and a 
part of San Benito counties; and the Sixtieth 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



District was to consist of tlie remaining por- 
tion of San Benito county. 

The following is a list of the members of 
the bar of San Benito county, viz.: N. C. 
Briggs, H. W. Scott, M. T. Dooling, G. B. 
Montgomery, J. L. Hudnerand W. 11. Hill. 

The assessment of San Benito county for 
1892, is as follows : 

Value of real estate and improvements $o,i::i0,200 

Value of personal property 1,023,533 

Assessment of railroads in S. B. Co. $163,782 
Assess'tof Pullman Car Co., S. B. Co. 1,260 165,043 



Total $6,318,775 

Acres assessed, 407,677. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

EESOOECES OF SAN BENITO COUNTY. 

!ilSUE agricultural resources of San Benito 
Wjf county are very extensive. Some of 
the best wheat produced in the State 
is raised in the upper San Benito valley, and 
in the other smaller valleys in the southern 
part of the county. The soil of this region 
seems to be peculiarly adapted to the growth 
of both wheat and barley. While the crop of 
grain for the year 1892 is reported short in 
other sections of the State, owing to the 
lateness and shortness of the rains, that of 
San Benito county is said to be a full aver- 
age in quantity, and extra in quality. 

San Benito county is noted for its hay 
product. The quantity of grain and hay 
produced in the county is prodigious. 

The Victor Mills of the big Sperry Flour 
Company are located at Hollister. The ca- 
pacity of these mills is 400 bi^rrels of flou^ 



per day of twenty-four hours each, and they 
are now run night and day. They have 
twenty sets of rollers, and a200-horse-power 
engine, and consume 1,500 tons of wheat per 
mouth, or 18,000 tons per annum, or the 
larger part of the local product, besides 
about 200 tons of barley per month, or 2,400 
tons per annum, which they convert into feed 
for stock. The market for their flour is the 
entire State. William Steinbeck is the local 
manager. Last year a business of about 
1600,000 was done by these mills, less 
than the average; this year they will do 
more. 

A capital of about 1200,000 is required to 
carry on the business, including the plant. 
The Victor Mills are of immense value to 
the county, as tliey furnish its farmers a sure 
market for the greater portion of the grain 
they raise. The mills buy for cash and sell 
on thirty days' time. 

" HOLLISTER HAT." 

The quantity of hay shipped by the South- 
ern Pacific railroad from tiie Hollister station 
from June 1, to August 18, 1892, as shown 
by the record, was 492 carloads of eleven 
tons each; or 5,412 tons, which is estimated 
to be less than one-fifth of the total quantity 
which will be shipped from that station dur- 
ing this calendar year. 

Mr. R. P. Lathrop, who has been in the 
hay business here since 1876, and who has 
been over all that portion of San Benito 
county which is tributary to Hollister rail- 
road station, and who has taken careful sta- 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



tistics of existing stocks, states that the quan- 
tity of hay, which will be shipped from this 
station, of this year's crop, will not be less 
than 27,000 tons, in addition to what will bo 
consumed locally. 

The hay raised about Hollister commands 
the highest price in the San Francisco and 
neighboring markets, and " Hollister hay " 
is well and favorably known from San Diego 
to Seattle. The reasons are: Climatic condi- 
tions, quality of soil, no fog, and the education 
of the farmers in the art of making and cur- 
ing hay. A stranger visiting Hollister, espe- 
cially during the haying season, is struck 
with the sight of trains of hay-loaded cars, 
trailing hay-loaded wagons, and the loading 
and unloading by tackle and block of endless 
bales of hay, hay, hay? 

CHAPTEK IX. 

HOLLISTER. 

f"T|f HE modern enterprising, thoroughly 
M American city of Hollister, the county 
i^J seat of San Benito county, was named 
after Colonel W. W. Hollister,* now de- 



ceased, who, with the Flints and Bixby's 
brought improved American sheep all the 
way from Ohio, in the early fifties, to Cali- 
fornia; and who eventually settled down 
to the business of sheep-raising in the neigh- 
borhood of the old mission of San Juan Bau- 
tista and in the upper portion of San Benito 
valley. These enterprising sheep farmers, 
pioneers in introducing improved sheep into 
this State, purchased the "San Justo ranch," 
a Mexican grant of nearly 35,000 acres, which 
was finally confirmed to Francisco Perez 
Pacheco, who occupied the same a number 
of years as a sheep range. -j- 

Colonel Hollister acquired control of the 
ranch, and in 1862, bailt what is known as 
the Montgomery House, the oldest house in 
the present town of Hollister. It is said 
that during the '60s, there were several hun- 
dred feet of troughs used for watering sheep 
in the vicinity of where Third street is now 
located. 

THE SAN JUSTO HOMESTEAD ASSOCIATION, 

consisting of fifty members, held its first 



♦Colonel W. W. Hollister was a native of Licking 
county, Ohio. He was a man of great force and deci- 
sion of character. He brought a flock of sheep across 
the great plains as early as the year 1851, which was 
no trifling undertaking. He sold these sheep in 
Santa Clara county, and went back and brought out 
with his brother, Hubbard, and a sister, Mrs. Brown, 
who accompanied them, another flock of 8,000 sheep, 
150 cattle and 100 horses in 1853. This time he started 
from Missouri April 1, 1853, and arrived in Los An- 
geles about February 1, 1854, with 0,000 of the sheep, 
having been on the road ten months. The route trav- 
eled was by way of the Platte, Great Salt Lake, 
Mountain Meadows, Armargosa, and the Canon Pass. 
W. H. Perry and C. P. Switzer, since then residents of 
Los Angeles, came with the Hollister party. 

Colonel Hollister took the sheep north, and went 



into the business of breeding improved sheep on an 
extensive scale. Eventually, with others, he bought 
the San Justo ranch in the San Benito valley, then a 
portion of Monterey county. 

Other parties with sheep, Thomas Flint and Jotham 
and Llewellyn Bixby, came at the same time by the 
same route, and all three parties kept near each other 
and co-operated together, in overcoming difficulties, 
and in defense against the Indians, etc. 

Colonel Hollister was a man of education. He was 
engaged in mercantile pursuits before he came to 
California. He died in Santa Barbara a few years ago, 
where his widow and sister still live. His brother 
died eight or ten years since. 

t The firm of Flint, Bixby & Co., consisted at this 
lime of Thomas and Benjamin Flint, and Llewellen 
Bixby, who entered into a co-partnership in Terre 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



meeting October 10, 1868, at which S. S. 
Swope was elected president, W. H. Briggs 
secretary, and J. M. Brown, treasurer. This 
association bought the San Justo ranch of 
Colonel Hollister for $400,000; but when on 
survey there was less land than had been 
estimated a deduction of |30,000 was made, 
and the actual amount paid was $370,000, of 
which $100,000 was paid down, and the bal- 
ance on time. 

The land, or a portion of it, including the 
present town site of Hollister, was divided 
into tracts of 172 acres each, and, on the 19th 
of November, 1868, the choice of tracts was 
sold at auction, T. S. Hawkins (now president 
of the Bank of Hollister) purchasing the 
first choice, paying therefore |4,500. The 
aggregate amount realized from the " sale of 
choice" of these fifty tracts for premiums 
alone was |87,352. The town of Hollister 
was laid off the same day, November 19. 
It had been decided at first to locate the 
town about two miles northeast of its present 
site, and keep the latter as the Hollister 
homestead, but finally the present site was 
fixed on and named. 

During the month of December, $3,600 



worth of town lots were sold, and the towu 
commenced to grow rapidly. Its population 
in 1880, by the federal census, was about 
1,000, and in 1890, 1,234. At present, 1892, 
the school census indicates that it must be 
double that number. 

HOLLISTER SCHOOLS. 

The present condition of the public schools 
of Hollister is shown in the following figures 
taken from the latest report of the county 
superintendent; The number of children in 
the district between 5 and 17 are: 
White, boys, 330; girls, 310-G49. 

Negro, boys, 6 ; girls, 7-13. Total 662 

Under 5, white 142 

Total number children under 17 (all native born). 804 
Number of children between 5 and 17 who have 

attended public school 527 

Number children between 5 and 17 who have at- 
tended only primary schools 112 

Total 639 

Number pupils enrolled, boys, 300; girls, 237 537 

Number pupils belonging 382 

Average daily attendance 870 

Percentage of attendance on average num'r belo'ng 97 
Number pupils in grammar grade, 299, 

Number pupils in primary grade, 238 587 

Number months school maintained 9}^ 

with many important business interests of this and 
other parts of the State, having beon partners in the 
firmsof J. Bixby & Co., Irvine, Flint «& Co., B. P. 
Flint <fc Co., Coast Line Stage Co., California Beet 
Sugar Co., Cerro Benito Quicksilver Mining Co., etc. 
Jotham and Llewellyn Bixby have been for some years 
residents of Los Angeles county, where they are 
large land owners, and where they have extensive herds 
of sheep and cattle, etc. James Irvine died in Los 
Angeles (now Orange) county, several years ago. 
The magnificent San Joaquin and Lomas de Santiago 
ranches in Orange county, still belong to his estate' 
Dr. Thomas Flint still resides in San Benito county. 



Haute, Indiana, in March, 1853, to purchase stock to 
drive across the plains to California. They collected 
2,400 head of sheep near Quincy, Illinois, and started 
for California, and crossed the Missouri river at Coun- 
cil Bluffs; their route thence was up the North 
Platte, via South Pass, Great Salt Lake city, southern 
Utah to Los Angeles and to San Jos^, ending their 
trip in June, 1864. 

In October, 1855, they bought the San Justo ranch 
using the part occupied by them for many years, almost 
exclusively for sheep. They were tlie first to introduce 
into California Spanish-Merino sheep from Vermont, 
and they, or those of them who survive, have bred 
them since continuously. They have been identified 



SJmf BENITO COUNTY. 



EECEIPTS AND EXPENDITDBKS. 

Paid teachers $ 6,650 00 

Paid rents, repairs, fuel, etc 1,177 78 

Paid libraries 66 90 

Total $7,894 68 

Paid lots, building and furnishing 7,602 45 

Total $15,497 13 

Balance July 1, 1891 817 26 

Received from State 3,250 68 

Received from county 4,081 50 

Received city and district taxes 30,179 60 

Received subscriptions and miscel's sources 92 70 

Total 138,431 74 

Balance on hand June 30, 1892 22,924 61 

(Note. Tliis amount is balance on hand 
from sale of bonds for $30,000 for a new ten- 
room schoolhouse, being erected in 1892. A 
contract for this building has been let for 
$20,825.) 

The value of lots, schoolhouses and furni- 
ture is $14,000; of libraries, $300; and ap- 
paratus, $300, or a total of $14,600. Num- 
ber volumes in library, 318; bonded indebt- 
edness, $30,000. 

J. B. Hankenson is principal of the Hol- 
lister schools. 

There are four teachers holding grammar 
grade certificates, and five holding primary 
grade certificates, or nine teachers in all. 

J. G. Hamilton, J. T. Lowe and A. M. 
Hardin constitute the city board of education. 

The district has or soon will have one ten- 
class schoolhouse, one five-class schoolhouse, 
one three-class schoolhouse, one one-class 
(rented) schoolhouse in southern part of dis- 
trict. 

The following are the town oiBcers: T. S. 



Hawkins, president; C. Hickey, C. H. Knapp, 
Alex. Eaton, A. H. Coy, trustees. 

B. F. Gould, assessor; M. T. Dooling, at- 
torney; "W. McDonald, marshal. 

SACRED HEART SCHOOL. 

The private, boarding and day school for 
boys and girls, under charge of the Sisters of 
Charity, was established August 5, 1891. 
The building occupied by the school, which 
stands a short distance west of HoUister, was 
originally erected for a college, but came into 
the possession of Mr. James McMahon, who 
donated it, with grounds comprising about 
seven acres, to the Sisters for the purpose of 
establishing a private school, which last year 
had about 100 pupils in attendance, with 
prospects of a larger number in the future. 
Sister Aurelia is at the head of the institution. 
She is assisted by four other Sisters. The 
common or rudimentary branches of English, 
vocal and instrumental music, painting, draw- 
ing, and French and Latin are taught. 

CHURCHES. 

The Church of the Sacred Heart, Roman 
Catholic, of Hollister, includes some 1,500 
parishioners. The church building, with a 
seating capacity of about 250, was erected 
some eighteen or twenty years ago. The 
present rector, Kev. B. Smyth, came here in 
1889. He has American, Spanish and Portu- 
guese and French parishioners. Father Smyth 
preaches in English, and also, on occasions, 
in Spanish. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Hoi- 



SAW BENITO COUNTY. 



143 



lister was oro;anizecl in 1869, or very soon 
after the town of Hollister was laid out. The 
church building was bought in 1878. Seating 
capacity from 150 to 300. Membership 112. 
Its pastor (previous to the Conference of Sep- 
tember 1892) was Dr. Wesley Dennett. 
Trustees: T. L. Baldwin, C. N. Day, A. 
Dunlap. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church South of 
Hollister was established in 1869, and its 
house of worship, with a seating capacity of 
about 175, was erected a little later. The 
church membership is 140. Kev. J. N. Ken- 
ney has been pastor since January 1, 1892. 

The First Presbyterian Church of Hollister 
has about seventy-live members. Its church 
building was erected eight or ten years ago; 
costing between $3,000 and $4,000; and the 
church was organized in 1873. Rev. S. D. 
Fulton has been pastor, since December, 189'1. 
The church will seat from 200 to 225, or with 
the parlor? 300 persons. 

The Christian Church of Hollister was 
organized in 1869. Its membership is now 
about 200. The church was erected in 1875. 
Kev. C. P. Cone is the pastor (1892). The 
church is in a prosperous condition; and the 
board of trustees contemplate enlarging the 
present building, which was erected in 1874, 
as it is inadequate to the needs of the con- 
gregation. 

BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES. 

The following is a list of the societies and 
of the dates of their stated meetings: 

K. of P.— San Justo Lodge, No. 173, K. 
of P., meets every Monday evening. Castle 



hall. Fourth street west of San Benito street; 
William Wallace, C. C; J. H. Shaw, K. of 
R. and S. 

F. & A. M.— San Benito Lodge, No. 211, 

F. & A. M. meets in Masonic hall the Sat- 
urday on or before the full moon. W. P. 
Steinbeck, W. M.; R. Shaw, secretary. 

R. A. M.— Hollister Chapter, No. 68, R. 
A. M. meets in Masonic hall on the second 
Wednesday in each month. Thomas Flint, 
H. P. ; S. C. Freele, secretary. 

0. E. S.— Athena Chapter, No. 46, O. E. 
S. meets in Masonic hall on the first and 
third Wednesdays of each month. Mrs. J. 

G. Hamilton, W. M.; Miss Ella McCray, sec- 
retary. 

1. O. O. F.— Mound Lodge, No. 166, I. O. 
O. F. meets in I. O. O. F. hall every Thurs- 
day evening. N. D. Hall, N. G.; R. Shaw, 
R. S. The Fidelity Rebekah Degree Lodge, 
No. 29, meets in I. O. O. F. hall, on the 
second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. 
Mrs. J. D. Hendricks, N. G.; Mrs. J. G. Por- 
ter, secretary. 

G. A. R. — Jesse L. Reno, Post No. 58, G. 
A. R. meets in I. O. O. F. hall on the first 
and third Saturdays of each month. Will 
Acton, P. C; F. W. Oliver, adjutant. 

A. O. U. W.— San Benito Lodge, No. 96, 
A. O. U. W., meets in I. 0. O. F. hall every 
Friday evening. J. F. Breen, W. M.; John 
Paterson, recorder. 

N. S. G. W. — Fremont Parlor, No. 44, N. 
S. G. W., meets in I. O. O. F. hall on the 
first and third Tuesdays of each month. 



SAN BENirO COUNTY. 



William Black, president; J. T. Lahiif, sec- 
retary. 

I. O. F. — Court Hollister, No. 654, meets 
on the second and fourth Wednesdays of 
each month in I. O. O. F. hall. W. E. Ste- 
vens, C. R. ; J. £. Series, secretary. 

W. C. T. U.— The Hollister W. C. T. U. 
meets First Wednesday of the mouth in the 
parlor of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
South. 

There is also a Catholic Ladies' Aid Society, 
a Portuguese Union, etc. 

NEWSPAPEES. 

The Hollister Free Lance now in its 
ninth volume, is one of the best weekly 
newspapers published outside the larger 
cities in California. It is edited with ability 
and untiring industry. It is a faithful and 
very valuable exponent of the community in 
which it is published. Its managers show that 
they have the true newspaper instinct, in that 
they make known to the world, the resources 
of their section, with great fullness of detail. 
Some of their extra editions are fairly cyclo- 
pedic in the great variety and exhaustiveness of 
their information about San Benito county. 

The editors of this work have derived much 
valuable information concerning the econom- 
ic and other resources of San Benito county 
from the local journals of the county, and 
especially from "The Free Lance," which 
they hereby formally and cordially acknow- 
ledge. The value of an enterprising, intelli- 
gent local press to a community can hardly be 
overestimated. 



Lahiif and Stephenson are the proprietors 
and publishers of "The Free Lance," Mr. 
Stephenson being editor and Mr. Lahiff be- 
ing city editor, and business luanager. The 
paper is enthusiastically and aggressively Re- 
publican in politics. 

In 1873, the Enterprise was established, 
which afterward was merged into the Pacific 
Coast, and then into the Democrat, which L. 
T. Baldwin bought in 1882, and named the 
Free Lance, by which name it has since 
been known. 

The San Benito Advance was established 
June 17, 1872, when Hollister was but a 
struggling village. During these years it 
has never missed its usual weekly issue. 
With the name of Hollister its name is in- 
separably connected. Upon its subscription 
books are the names of hundreds of old- 
timers in San Benito county and other por- 
tions of the commonwealth. The Advance 
was first established by Mr. William Shaw, 
father of the present proprietors. The office 
was then located in Brown's Hall, opposite 
the present Eagle Hotel on San Benito street. 
San Benito street was then ungraded and 
during the winter months was almost an 
impassable sea of adobe mud. The Advance 
was later removed to the corner of San Benito 
and Fifth streets, where it remained for some 
years. It was foremost in agitating the 
question of incorporating the town of Hollis- 
ter and largely instrumental in bringing 
about its final accomplishment. San Benito 
county was then a portion of old Monterey 
county, and in the final struggle that ended 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



in a division, the Advance by its aggressive 
policy crystallized a strong public sentiment, 
which VFas a very efficient factor in bringing 
about the desired result to wit: The passage 
of the Act of Division. Its usefulness was 
next made apparent to the public by the 
valuable aid it rendered in cleaning out the 
Milliken-Kelly gang of cut-throats which then 
terrorized the entire community. It de- 
manded the election of Oroson Lyons for 
city marshal, who was aggressive in their 
iinal subjugation. From December, 1875, to 
1878, the Advance was conducted by F. "W. 
Blake now editor of the Gilroy Advocate. 
He is remembered as a vigorous writer, a 
faithful and persistent champion of local im- 
provement. To his efforts is largely due the 
establishment of a fire department in Hollis- 
ter and a water system unexcelled by any 
other interior town in California. Robert 
Shaw and the late L. T. Baldwin succeeded 
Mr. Blake, and conducted the Advance as 
the Republican organ of the county up to 
June, 1884, when George W. McConnell took 
it and made it pronouncedly Democratic in 
its tone. He proved to be an able newspaper 
man, being aggressive and enterprising. 
The present proprietors, Albert D. and 
George E. Shaw, succeeded Mr. McConnell in 
February, 1886. The old "man-killer" 
lever press, which had done duty in the Shaw 
family for forty-eight years, was replaced by 
a new modern Cottrell cylinder and other 
improved office equipments; and since that 
time the Advance has been conducted upon 
modern principles as a first-class weekly 



paper. It has been noted for its fearless ex- 
pression of the voice of the people upon 
vital topics of local concern. Independent 
and aggressive in its views, it is a newspaper 
in every sense of the word, and with its 
large patronage and extensive clintele of read- 
ers, it exerts a wide influence in the com- 
munity in which it is published. 

THE WEST COAST ALLIANCE, 

devoted to the interests of the Farmers' Alli- 
ance, and Industrial Union, was established 
in 1892, as the organ of the Alliance, by 
which organization it is owned. It is edited 
and managed by C. A. Menefee. It is a 
zealous defender of the farmers, whom it 
justly considers the yeomanry and the back- 
bone as it were, of this country. 

THE JEFFEESONIAN 

of HoUister, a strongly Democratic weekly 
newspaper, was established in the early part 
of 1892. It is published by Harry Johnston, 
editor, and W. T. McCarthy, business man- 
ager. Although devoted to the interests of 
its party, it also aims to promote the best 
interests of San Benito county. 

THE HOLLISTEE VOLUNTEER FIEE DEPARTMENT 

was organized in December, 1875, with 
eighty charter members. The original offi- 
cers were: II. M. Shackleford, chief; J. M. 
Black, first assistant; William Eastman, 
second assistant. At first, the company 
had two hose carts and a hook and ladder 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



truck. At present they have three hose 
carts and a hook and ladder truck, 1,500 feet 
of lirst-class hose, and 900 feet of second- 
class hose, with nine ladders (150 feet) and 
eighteen buckets. There are now four com- 
panies. Officers: No. 1, Alert, Robert Shaw, 
foreman; W. W. McDonald, first assistant; 
Albert Williams, second assistant. Com- 
pany No. 2, Wide Awake: A. J. Santos, 
foreman; W. T. Dalzell, first assistant; 
Joseph Lynn, second assistant. Company 
No. 3, Excelsior: W. W. Black, foreman; 
Charles Shaw, first assistant; Henry Agnew, 
second assistant. Pioneer Hook and Lad- 
der Company: Joseph Boucher, foreman; 
Leonard Hutz, first assistant; William 
Wells, second assistant. 

Department officers: A. Eaton, cliief; H. 
M. Campbell, first assistant; J. II. Hawk- 
ins, second assistant; J. H. Archibald, sec- 
retary; R. E. Shaw, treasurer. 

THE GRANGEKS' UNION OF HOLLISTER, 

with an authorized capital stock of $100,000, 
was incorporated, March 20, 1890. The 
following-named gentlemen are directors: 
Thomas Flint, president; R. P. Lathrop, 
vice-president; C. N. Hawkins, secretary 
and manager; G. S. Nash, R. E. Shore. The 
Union has a large store, centrally loca ted ; it 
deals in general merchandise; its business, 
which appears to be well managed, is re- 
ported to be this third year double in volume 
to what it was the first year. The Union owns 
a large warehouse near the depot, where it 
stores its own soods. 



WATER-WORKS. 



The company owning these works is man- 
aged by the following officers: T. S. Hawk- 
ins, president; T. W. Hawkins, secre- 
tary and manager; N. C. Briggs, E. A. 
Crepin, R. A. Hawkins, S. T. Jones; D. 
N. Hall is chief engineer. The water is 
taken from four artesian wells, from forty- 
five to 265 feet deep, and pumped to a ce- 
ment reservoir, capable of holding 255,000 
gallons, on the top of a hill adjoining the 
town on the north, which has an elevation of 
120 feet. The steam pump used has a ca- 
pacity of 95,000 gallons per hour. It is 
claimed that in case of fire, it can be started 
up in fifteen minutes, and can then gain four 
inches an hour of water in the reservoir, 
when the fire companies are playing four 
streams on the fire. 

The reservoir, which is covered, is seven 
feet deep, eighty feet long by fifty-four wide. 
Its height gives a pressure of water in the 
town of forty-two pounds to the square inch, 
which is sufiicient to send a powerful stream 
over the top of the highest buildings, thus 
doing away entirely with the necessity for 
fire engines. There are twelve miles of 
mains laid in Hollister. The water being 
artesian, is clear, healthful, pleasant to the 
taste, and entirely free from animal or vege- 
table matter, or germs of any kind, though 
slightly hard. The company (1892) is en- 
gaged in boring an additional and larger and 
much deeper well, for the purpose of secur- 
ing a larger supply of water, which they 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



147 



hope will be absolutely free from any hard 
quality. 

The average annual rainfall at Hollister is 
about twelve inches. 

HOLLISTER LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY. 

The officers of this company are: Thomas 
Donovan, president; Thomas McMahon, vice- 
president; E. A. Crepin, treasurer; A. Tonn, 
secretary. The company was incorporated 
February 17, 1892. Jesse Starkweather is 
superintendent of the works. This company, 
as the Hollister Gas Company, has been 
manufacturing gas for the last six years. It 
commenced supplying electric (incandescent) 
light, June 1, 1892. It has a seventy-five- 
horse- power engine and boiler, and a 740 light 
dynamo. The capacity of its gas-works is 
about 15,000 cubit feet of gas per day. 



There are two commercial and two savings 
banks in Hollister. The oldest of these is 
the Bank of Hollister, which was incorporated 
in 1873. It has a capital stock, paid up, of 
$250,000 and a surplus of $145,000. Its 
directors are: T. S. Hawkins, president; N. 
C. Briggs, vice-president; T. W. Hawkins, 
cashier; Uriah Woods, Thomas Flint. The 
semi-annual statement of this bank for June 
30, 1892, showed 
Assets— Cash on hand $ 25,629.12 

Expense... $3,424.20 ) 

Taxes 2,008.58 | ^32.78 

Bills rec'd and current 

acc'ts 560,896.81 



Real estate 30,300.00 

Furniture and fixtures . 2,000.00 
Stocks 1,265.00 



Total $625,523.71 

Liabilities— Deposits $218,159.38 

Due banks 45,683.71 

P. & L., & contin- 
gent fund 48,811.64 

Reserve fund 50,000.00 

Capital 250,000.00 

Due savings and 

loan bank 12,868.98 



Total $625,523.71 

Subscribed capital, paid up, 1250,000. 

The Savings and Loan Bank of San 
Benito county, with the same directory as the 
Bank of Hollister, has a subscribed capital of 
1250,000, of which $50,000 is paid up in 
gold coin. Its last sworn statement showed, 
June 30, 1892: 

Assets — Loans on real estate. . .$114,823.85 

Due from banks 12,868.98 

Expenses 284.05 

Other assets 3,482.30 



Total $131,459.18 

Liabilities— Capital, $50,000.00 

Due depositors, 81,459.18 131,459.18 

The Farmers and Merchants' Bank of 
Hollister, established in 1892, in its first 
semi-annual statement of July 2, shows: 



148 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



CHAPTER X. 

SAN JUAN AND OTHER SETTLEMENTS. 

!N the modern town of San Juan has had a 
compsrtively uneventful histoi-y. The 
building of the Southern Pacific railroad 
at some distance away from the old mission 
town drew much of the traflfc which formerly 
centered there, to other points. The popula- 
tion of San Juan, in 1890, is given by the census 
at 463. The school census of 1892, gave the 
number of children under seventeen, only as 
309, which at a three or three and one-half 
ratio indicates a present population of the 
district of nearly 1,000 souls. The trustees 
(1892) of San Juan school district are: John 
Breen, D. Willson, G. S. Tremaine, and the 
principal of the school is F. S. Wallace. 
There is one, three-class school building in 
the district, and school is maintained ten 
months in the year. 

SCHOOL CENSUS STATISTICS. 
8AK JUAN DISTRICT. 

No. of children between 5 and 17, white, 80 boys; 

169 .girls; total 249 

No. of children under 5 60 

No. of children under 17 309 

No of children between 5 and 17 who have at- 
tended public school 100 

No. of children between 5 and 17 who have at- 
tended private school 114 

Total 214 

No. of classes, grades, grammar 1 

No. of classes, grades, primary 2 

Total 3 

No. boys enrolled 73 

No. girls enrolled 62 

Total 135 



No. belonging, average 77 

No. daily attendance, average 70 

Percentage of attendance on average belonging... 90 

No. pupils enrolled in grammar grade 33 

No. pupils enrolled in primary grade 102 

Total 13.5 

Average salaries paid teachers |75 

CDRRKNT EXPENSES 

Receipts balanced July 1, 1891 |1,418.80 

Received State and county $2,401.00 

Total $3,819,80 

Expenditures, paid teachers' salary $3,262.00 

Expenditures, paid rents, etc 478.02 

Balance June 30, 1893 $1,079.78 

Valuation; lots, buildings and furnishing $3,000.00 

Valuation; library and apparatus $500.00 

Total $3,500.00 

No. volumes in library 300 

The St. John's Institute, or Orphans' Asy- 
lum, was founded in 1865. It is under the 
direction of the Sisters of the Immaculate 
Conception. They occupya three-story brick 
building surrounded by spacious grounds. 

There are a Congregational and Catholic 
Church in San Juan. Also a lodge each of 
Odd Fellows, Masons, Order of Eastern Star 
and Order of Good Templars. 

Key. Father Valentine Closa, rector of the 
Koman Catholic Church as San Juan, came 
there in 1874, as assistant to Rev. Father 
Rubio ; and on the removal of the latter to San 
Buenaventura, Father Closa became rector in 
full charge of the parish. Father Closa was 
born in Catalonia, Spain, in 1841, and^came to 
America in 1871. He was ordained a priest 
the next year, and officiated as such, first at 
Los Angeles before he came to San Juan. 

Tres Pinos, (Three Pines) is a thriving 
town eight miles south of Hollister, and the 



HAIf BENITO COUNTY. 



terminus of the San Benito branch of the 
Sonthern Pacific railway, which was extended 
to that point in 1873. This is the shipping 
point for an extensive, and very productive 
region. Large quantities of grain, haj, dairy 
products, poultry, wool, hides, etc., are an- 
nually brought to the Tres Pinos station to be 
sent to market by rail. 

Bear Valley, a pretty and fertile tract in 
San Benito county, about twenty-five miles 
south of Hollister, located in the Gabiian 
mountains, at an altitude of about 1,000 feet, 
was originally known as Cholame or Chalone 
valley, it being the source of Cholame creek. 
It is said to have derived its name from the 
following incident. One Mr. Innes used to 
range stock in the then Chalome valley and 
the adjacent country. When on one of these 
trips, with his vaqueros, the party encountered 
a large grizzly bear near the present location 
of the home of Mrs. Elizabeth Bacon. They 
lassoed this bear and made him captive. He 
is said to have been a fine specimen of his 
kind, and created some talk. The valley 
was from that time known as Bear Valley. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Bacon was the first white 
woman to locate in this valley. It was in 
November, 1866, and the reader can get 
some further information on this subject by 
referring to the biographical mentions of 
Mrs. Elizabeth Bacon, on another page of this 
work. Henry Melindy, John T. Prewitt and 
George Butterfield, are all well-known pio- 
neers of the valley. Vasquez, the noted 
bandit and his lieutenant, Chaves, frequented 
this section during their reign of terror. It 



is related by these pioneers that they were 
evidently kind-hearted, genial fellows, never 
giving them trouble. Especially is this true 
of Chaves, who was frequently at the home of 
Mr. Melindy, and, at times, during his ab- 
sence, while Mrs. M. was at home alone 
with her little ones. He was, however, al- 
ways gentlemanly and courteous, kind and 
sociable. He said that one, " Indian Joe, 
who was nearly, if not quite, a full-blooded 
Indian, drew him into evil ways which 
brought him so much trouble." Chaves was 
a half-breed Indian. 

Bear Valley is about seven miles long, and 
variesin width. It descends toward the Salinas 
valley. Cholame creek, which drains Bear 
valley, flows into the Salinas river, emptying 
therein at Chalone station, on the Southern 
Pacific railway. 

The first school held in the Bear Valley 
district, San Benito county, was in Septem- 
ber, 1874. The first school teacher was Mr. 
P. Troy. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church South of 
Bear Valley was organized about 1875, and 
has a membership of fourteen. It is one of 
a circuit of the following churches: Peacii 
Tree, Bitter Water, Bear Valley, Live Oak 
and Paicines. A Sunday-school has been 
organized and well supported for about twelve 
years past; George M. Butterfield, superin- 
tendent. 

The soil of Bear Valley is deep and very 
fertile, producing large crops of wheat of fine 
quality, barley and vegetables and fruit of all 
kinds. Frosts are almost unknown, because 



150 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



of the elevation of the valley and of the hills 
which surround it. As an enthusiastic local 
writer has said: "This spot is as fair as an 
ideal of Eden, and is only one of many simi- 
lar spots in San Benito county." He says 
the bears "have all disappeared and the name 
only remains to remind old residents of the 
exciting hunt of pioneer days." 

Paicines, Panoche, New Idria, Vallecitos 
are thriving settlements. The San Benito 
and Priest valleys are fertile, healthful and 
beautiful valleys. The Dry Lake and Bitter 
Water regions are attractive localities for in- 
dustrious settlers, and although as yet sparsely 
occupied, there is abundant evidence that 
those who have made their homes here are 
prosperous and contented. 

Although the main industries of the upper 
or southern portion of San Benito county are 
the raising of grain and hay and stock, yet 
fruit culture is likely to become prominent 
in the future. The foot-hills throughout this 
region are undoubtedly adapted to the vine. 
The splendid results obtained by Mr. Palm- 
tag with several kinds of foreign grapes, serve 
as a pointer which others may follow with 
confidence. Though his wines are young, they 
show plainly enough, to the discerning, some- 
thing of the future possibilities of this section 
in viti-culture. Some of his wines properly 
blended and aged, would sell in any markets 
in the world. 

One peculiarity of San Benito county is, 
that much of its mountainous regions are 
susceptible of cultivation, almost from their 
base to their summits. Indeed natural grasses 



grow to their very tops. The peculiarities 
of the foot-hill regions of California, of soil, 
drainage, freedom from frosts, etc., admirably 
adapt them to fruit-culture, as the people of 
many sections of the State have abundantly 
demonstrated. The vineyards of the future 
of California will be located on the foothills 
and hill-sides. 

THE CIENEGA LIME KILNS 

were started in 1885, by J. J. Burt; he 
took out the tirst load of lime on the 1st day 
of January, 1886, from a forty-barrel kiln. 
The lime ledge proper was bought from the 
Government under an Act of Congress, which 
provides for the development of stone quar- 
ries and timber tracts. There are now four 
large kilns in operation with a capacity of 
6,000 barrels of lime per month. There is 
an abundance of wood for fuel near by — pine, 
white oak, live-oak, etc. A large number of 
men are employed in connection with these 
works. 

The lime rock is hard and white; in fact, 
is marble rock, and carries about ninety-nine 
per cent of lime and contains no flint. It 
brings the highest market price in San Jose, 
Stockton, Oakland and San Francisco. 

A large quarry of white building marble 
will soon be developed on the property. 
Abundance of water is piped to the works 
from springs on the mountain side three-quar- 
ters of a mile distant. A motor railway has 
been constructed from Tres Pinos, the terminus 
of the HoUister branch of the Southern Pa- 
cific line, a distance of twelve miles, to these 



SAM BENITO COUNTY. 



151 



works, JQ order to facilitate transportation of 
lime and stone to market. This road was 
built and is owned by the proprietor of the 
lime works, Mr. Burt. 

PRIEST VALLEl' HALL ASSOCIATION 

was incorporated under the laws of the State, 
in June, 1892, for the purpose of building a 
young people's hall, to be used for balls and 
social gatherings, etc. The directors are: 
Martin Griffin, John Clayton, John Myers, 
Richard Folks. 

The capital of the association is |500, all 
paid in. The hall is octagonal or eight- 
square in form, and one story high. As a 
dancing hall, eight sets of dancers can be ad- 
mitted on the floor at one time. The orches- 
tra stand is in the center. It is suitably 
seated with portable seats, so that it can be 
used for other public occasions. The build- 
ing is surmounted with a flag-staff, and is a 
credit to the young people of Priest Valley. 

CHAPTER XI. 

THE EUCALYPTUS IN CALIFOENIA. 

jS many portions of California are tree- 
on account of the long summer 
'^^'^ drouth, the introduction of the eucalyp- 
ti, of many varieties, from Australia, has 
been worth millions of dollars to the 
State. In the first place, these trees, 
after being started, will thrive remarkably 
through our dry seasons; they grow so 
straight and tall and so close together that 
they will produce more timber per acre than 
almost any other tree, and both timber and 




fuel will always be in demand where forests 
are scarce. In many of our valleys or low 
hill lands, which only a few years ago were 
treeless, now may be seen small clumps, and 
not infrequently extensive areas of the tall 
eucalyptus giving to our landscapes, form- 
erly so bare of trees, an appearance not un- 
like that of eastern landscapes. 

Many citizens have learned by experiment 
that a eucalyptus grove, especially if rea- 
sonably near a market, is often more profit- 
able, acre for acre, than a vineyard or fruit 
orchard. The trees grow very rapidly, 
straight as arrows, from fifty to seventy-five 
feet high or more, which permits of their 
being planted closer together than any other 
trees; their height, quick growth, and near- 
ness together, combined with their excellence 
as fuel, and the fact that they may be cut 
down as often as every five years, when they 
will grow again as thriftly as before, make 
them take rank as one of the most desirable 
class of trees that can be grown in this coun- 
try of annual wet and dry seasons. The first 
blue-gum grove planted in this immediate sec- 
tion was set out in Castro valley in 1869, al- 
though the tree itself, or the seed, as an ex- 
periment, was brought here sometime before 
that. 

The eucalyptus also yields oils or balsams; 
and its roots, it is commonly believed, ex- 
tract malaria from swampy soils, rendering 
them more or less innocuous. 

There is another incidental benefit to be 
derived from eucalyptus, or any other forests 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



which ought not to be overlooked, especially 
in a country of dry summers like ours. 

Althougli neither mountain ranges nor 
dense forests will cause the moisture-laden 
air currents, which bring rain, to blow from 
the south, nevertheless, when in winter from 
other causes the currents do come, forests 
and mountains aid in extracting or precipita- 
ting their aqueous burden. In other words, 
without being in the remotest degree the 
original cause of rain, or the coming of the 
southerly winds which bring it, they do aid, 
when those moisture-bringing currents come, 
in increasing the amount of precipitation. 
Air currents heavily ladened with moisture, 
in passing through dense forests, must un- 
load or discharge their burden more rapidly, 
because of both the obstruction and tlie lower 
temperature they encounter, than they 
would in passing over an arid, unobstructed 
plain, or a desert; as for similar reasons, as 
everyone knows, the rainfall is very much 
greater on the windward side of high, snow- 
covered mountain ranges, than it is on their 
leeward side or even on the level plain. 

As the eucalyptus will thrive during our 
summer drouths, when most other trees will 
perish unless cultivated or irrigated, its value 
to California can not be computed. Its great 
value is bound to be more and more appre- 
ciated. 

The Eucalyptus, which grows all over Cali- 
fornia, and is an object of curiosity to the 
Eastern visitors, belongs to the myrtle tribe. 
There are 150 varieties of the tree. They are 
nearly all natives of Australia and the 



Hawaiian islands, and have already been in- 
troduced into most of the tropical and tem- 
perate countries of the world. 

Two kinds have been chiefly cultivated in 
California, the red gum, resinifera, and the 
blue gum, globulus, which is the better 
known. It is famous for its rapid growth, 
as it often makes an increase in height of 
from six to nine feet in one year. The tree 
continues growing at this rate until it has 
reached an enormous size. 

In 1862, it is said, an Australian merchant 
desired to send to the London exhibition a 
specimen of the large-growth Eucalyptus, but 
no ship could be found long enough to carry 
the giant. 

The products of this tree are numerous 
and varied. The wood is said to be valuable 
for car|)enters' and builders' uses. The gum 
or resin is employed in the manufacture of 
soaps, perfumes, lozenges, court- plaster, lini- 
ments, syrups, pomades, toilet vinegars, as 
well as many preparations used for artistic 
pur])oses, such as varnishing oils, veneer, and 
tracing paper. There has been for some 
years established in Paris a store for the sale 
of Eucalyptus perfumery. 

But by far the most valuable and import- 
ant property of this tree is its power of cor- 
recting malaria. This quality is, perhaps, 
due to the aromatic oil which the tree con- 
tains, or more probably to the drainage ef- 
fected by its roots. It has been proved in 
many countries in which the tree has been 
planted. In Algeria the cultivation of the 
tree has rendered many low-lying or marshy 



SAN BENITO COUNTr. 



districts iuliabi table, where, in the early years 
of French occiipitioii, foreigners could not 
live on account of deadly fevers. 

The Eucalyptus was first planted in Cali- 
fornia in 1858, and now there are thought to 
be not less than 10,000,000 of these trees in 
this State, each from fifty to sixty feet in 
height. 

CHAPTER XII. 

TWELVE years' RAILROAD TRAFFIC. 

fHE following official statistics, kindly 
furnished by Gr. L. Lansing, secretary 
any controller of the Southern Pacific 
Company, are very significant as showing 
the industrial progress of tlie counties 
through which the " Coast " division of the 
Southern Pacific Company runs, during the 
twelve years past. These figures show a 
steady, healthy and vigorous increase of 
traffic durincr the entire period spe'^ified: 

SOUTHERN PACIFIC R. R. CO., OP CALIFORNIA, COAST 
DITISION. 

YEAR. EARNINGS. MILEAGE. TONNAGE. 

1880 11,018,844.00 170.29 3^8,0.53 

1881 l,15!i,014.78 176.29 378,350 
1883 1,257,39935 176.39 301,859 

1883 1,382,513.89 197.19 293,801 

1884 1,468,176.34 202.31 363,434 

1885 1,281,703.96 202.21 309,390 

1886 1,649,824.83 288.71 438.193 

1887 1,?27,244.85 388.71 44'i,976 

1888 3,085,937,64 290.71 602,437 

1889 3,134,712.88 3J9.11 56:3,625 

1890 3,289,047.57 30D.tl 634,354 

1891 2,345,663.79 309.56 603,402 

MILES. 

The above division of the railroad extends from 

San Francisco to Tres Pinos 100.5^ 

From Carnadero to Santa Margarita 153.10 

BRANCHES. 

Caslroville Junction to Lake Majella 19.53 

Pajaro to Santa Cruz 21.20 

10 



Aptos to Monte Vista 7.44 

Hillsdale to Alraaden 7.80 

Total 309.56 

Althou^:h the above compreiien.sive tables 
include traffic on railway lines which extend 
beyond the limits of Monterey, San Benito 
and San Mateo counties (the segregated sum- 
maries of traffic within tliese counties not 
being easily accessible) they are very sig- 
nificant as showing a steady, healthy in- 
crease in business of the series of valleys 
through which those arteries of commerce 
run, which ought to be encouraging to the 
fortunate communities which have their 
homes in those pleasant valleys. 

CHAPTER XIll. 

VASQCEZ, THE BANDIT. 

MWHE name of Vasquez, around which so 
^i If much odium attaches, because of the 
'^ acts of outlawry of one who bore that 
name, Tiburcio Vasquez, once belonged to 
a respectable family in Monterey; and some 
members of that family still reside in 
Monterey county, who are industrious and 
law-abiding citizens. Tiburcio, who even 
before he arrived at the age of maturity took 
to evil ways, was born in Monterey county, in 
1837. It is said that before he was twenty 
years old he kept a low dance house in 
Monterey, where some Americans who fre- 
quented the place quarreled with him, and his 
house acquired a bad name, so that he was 
compelled to abandon it. He insisted that 
they were the aggressors, and that he only 
defended himself and his friends, liefusing 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



to be arrested, he left Monterey and went to 
Mendocino county, where again an i;nsuccess- 
ful attempt was made to arrest him, resulting 
in a light and his escape the second time. 
He himself says that he then went to his 
home in Monterey and begged his mother's 
blessing, and told her that thereafter ho was 
going to defend himself. 

Having become embittered, partly through 
his own faults and partly through the faults 
of others, he evidently had became desperate 
and reckless; and he commenced stealing 
horses, robbing stages, etc., and as other des- 
perate characters joined him he became 
bolder and more reckless in his career of 
crime in different parts of the State. In 
1857 he was arrested for stealing horses at 
Los Angeles and sent to the State prison, 
from which he made his escape, but was soon 
caught and sent back to the penitentiary, 
where he remained till his discharge in 
1863. 

But his old instincts returned and he 
turned highwayman again, with Procopio 
and Soto, and others. His party made an 
attack on Tres Pinos, in San Benito county, 
and killed three men and bound several 
others; and Vasquez threatened one of these 
latter with instant death unless he had his 
wife bring a certain sum of money as a ran- 
som, which she brought. After the awful 
tragedy at Tres Pinos, Vasquez made his way 
south, and on the road it is said he seduced 
the wife of one of his men, Antonio Leiva, 
who in revenge gave the officers at Los An- 
geles much evidence concerning his criminal 



career, his methods, etc. Vasquez and 
Chavez subsequently robbed a stage on the 
Owens river road, capturing considerable 
booty in the form of money, watches, etc. 
April 16, 1874, at the head of a small gang 
of robbers, he made his appearance at the 
sheep ranch of a wealthy Italian, Alexander 
Repetto, about six miles east of the city of 
Los Angeles. Tying Kepetto to a tree he 
compelled him, under pain of instant death, 
to sign a check on Temple & Workman's 
bank, Los Angeles, for $800. A young man, 
a nephew of Repetto, was then sent to Los 
Angeles to get this check cashed, and warned 
that at first indication of treachery his uncle 
would be killed. Upon arrival at the bank 
the boy's manner excited suspicion, and the 
bank officers detained him until he told why 
the money was so urgently needed. Sherifi" 
Rowland was notified and he at once organ- 
ized a posse and started for the San Gabriel 
mission; but the boy, by hard riding across 
the country, reached the ranch ahead of them, 
paid the ransom and released his uncle. The 
robbers fled north across the mission road 
toward the mountains, as the sheriff had 
expected, and met Charles E. Miles and John 
Osborne, whom they robbed of valuable gold 
watches when almost in sight of the officers, 
and then quickly continued their flight to the 
mountains and made good their escape. 

This was Vasquez's last exploit as a high- 
way robber. 

For a long time Sherifi" William R. Row- 
land of Los Angeles county had been quietly 
laying plans for his arrest. Again and again 



SAN BENITO COUNTT. 



the game had escaped, but "it is a long lane 
that has no turning." Early in May, 1874, 
he learned that Vasquez was making his 
headquarters at the house of "Greek George," 
about ten miles due west of Los Angeles, and 
and north of Santa Monica, and not far from 
the Cahuenga pass. 

The house was situated at the foot of a 
mountain and was bnilt of adobe in the form 
of a letter L, the foot of the letter being 
toward the mountain range, and the shank 
extending southward. Behind the house ran 
a comparatively disused road, leading from 
Sau Vicente through La Brea Rancho to Los 
Angeles. In front of the house a small 
bunch of willows surrounded a spring, and 
bevond these a vast rolling plain stretched 
westward and southward to the ocean. A 
window in the north end of the building 
afforded a lookout over the plain toward Los 
Angeles for many miles. Other windows in 
like manner commanded the remaining points 
of the compass. The middle section of the 
shank was used as a dining-room and a 
small room in the southern e.xtremity as a 
kitchen. 

It was well known that Vasquez had con- 
federates in Los Angeles, who kept him con- 
stantly posted as to all plans laid for his 
capture. This being the case, the utmost 
secrecy was necessary. The morning of 
Thursday, May 15, was determined on for 
making the attack, and during the following 
day horses for the sheriff's party were taken, 
one by one, to a rendezvous on Spring street, 
near Seventh. To disarm suspicion, it was 



determined that Sheriff Rowland should re- 
main in Los Angeles, and the attacking force, 
eight in all, was placed in charge of the 
under sheriff, Albert J. Johnston. The re- 
maining members were: Major II. M. Mitch- 
ell, attorney at law in Los Angeles; J. S. 
Bryant, city constable; B. F. Hartley, chief 
of police; W. E. Rogers and D. K. Smith, 
citizens; and George A. Beers, special cor- 
respondent of the San Francisco Chronicle. 
The party were armed with rifles, shotguns 
(loaded with slugs) and revolvers. 

At 1:30 A. M. they started, and by 4 o'clock 
had arrived at Major Mitchell's bee ranch, 
situated up a small canon not lar from the 
house of Greek George. Here Under-Sheriff 
Johnston left a portion of his party, while 
with the rest he climbed the mountains to 
reconnoiter. A heavy fog at first obscured 
all objects, but as it lifted they could discern 
a horse, answering in appearance to that 
usually ridden by the bandit, picketed near 
the house. Twice a man resembling Vasquez 
came out of the dwelling and led this horse 
to the spring, then back again and re-picketed 
him. Soon a second man, believed to be the 
bandit's lieutenant (Chaves), went in pursuit 
of another horse; and then Johnston prepared 
for action. 

His two companions, Mitchell and Smith, 
went in pursuit of the man last seen, while 
he returned to the bee ranch, marshaled his 
forces, and prepared to attack the house. 
Fortunately just at this moment a liigh box 
wagon drove up the caiion from the direction 
of Greek George's house. In this were two 



.•^AJf BENITO COUNFT. 



natives, and the sheriff's party at once 
climbed into the wagon and lay down, taking 
with them one of these men. The driver 
they commanded to turn his horses and pro- 
ceed back to Greek George's house, driving 
as close thereto as possible, and promising 
him that on the least sign of treachery they 
would shoot him dead. He obeyed his in- 
structions, aiid in a short time the house was 
reached and surrounded. 

As the party advanced upon tlie door lead- 
ing into the dining-room, a woman opened it 
partially, then, as she caught sight of them, 
slammed it to, with an exclamation of fright. 
They burst in just in time to see Vasquez 
spring from the table, where he had been 
eating breakfast, and through the narrow 
kitchen window in the end of the house 
facing south. As he went through an officer 
fired on him with his Henry rifle, and as he 
rushed for his horse, shot after shot showed 
him the utter hopelessness of escape. Throw- 
ing up his hands and advancing toward the 
party, he surrendered, saying in Spanish: 
" Boys, you have done well. I have been a 
d — d fool, but it is all my own fault. I am 
gone up." Two other men were arrested at 
the satne time, the one Mitchell and Smith 
went after, and another. X large number of 
arms, all the latest patterns and linest work 
manship, were found in the house. Greek 
George (George Allen) was arrested in Los 
Angeles. 

Vasquez was conveyed to Los Angeles and 
placed in jail. Here he received the best of 
medical treatment, and as his injuries were 



only flesh wounds he soon recovered. Much 
maudlin sympathy was expended on him by 
weak-headed women, who took flowers to him 
w^hile he remained in Los Angeles jail. His 
last victim, Mr. Repetto, of San Gabriel, 
called to see him. After the usual saluta- 
tions, Repetto remarked: "I have called, 
signer, to say that, so far as 1 am concerned, 
you can settle that little account with God 
Almighty. I have no hard feelings against 
you: none whatever." Vasqnez returned his 
thanks in a most imp)re3sive manner, and be- 
gan to speak of repayment, when Repetto 
interrupted him, saying: " I do not expect 
to be repaid. I gave it to you to save further 
trouble; but I beg of you, if you ever resume 
operations, not to repeat your visit to my 
house." 

"Ahlseiior," replied Vasquez, "if I am so 
unfortunate as to suffer conviction, and am 
compelled to undergo a short term of im- 
prisonment, I will take the earliest oppor- 
tunity to reimburse you. Seilor Repetto, 
yo soy un cahallero, con el corazon de un 
caballerof" (I am a gentleman, with the 
heart of a gentleman!) This with the most 
impressive gesture, and laying his hand upon 
his heart. 

He was taken to San Jose and tried for 
murder, and being found guilty was hanged, 
March 19, 1875. 

Several others of the band were captured 
and sent to San Quentin. Some were shot 
by officers, and the whole band was finally 
broken up. 



SAN BENITO COUNTT. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

CAtrSE CELEBKE. " PANOCHE GRANDE." 

fHE history of this case, which has been 
before Congress or the courts now for 
almost forty years, is one of the most 
remarkable in the annals of this country. 

The report of the committee on public lands 
of the forty-fifth Congress, dated June 13, 
1878, makes the startling statement that al- 
though the claimant of this grant had suc- 
ceeded in obtaining two distinct Judicial con- 
firmations of his title to this ranche; and 
that two Secretaries of the Interior, to-wit, 
Hon. Caleb B. Smith, on the 5i9th of Decem- 
ber, 1862, and Hon. J. P. Usher, on the 4th 
of March, 1864, ordered patents to issue to 
said claimant; and further, that although the 
President of the United States, Abraham Lin- 
coln, after investigation, decided that the 
grant was genuine, and ordered a patent to 
issue therefor; and a patent loas actually 
made out and signed, March I4., 1863, in 
due form, granting to Vicente P. Gome^, and 
to his heirs and assigns, the said rancho 
Panoche Grande; yet in spite of all these 
facts, the claimant, William M'Garrahan, suc- 
cessor in interest of the grantee, Vicente P. 
Gomez, has never yet received a patent for 
the same, as ordered by the two Secretaries of 
the Interior, and finally by the President of 
the United States himself! 

What is the sinister agency which baffles 
and persistently and repeatedly paralyzes the 
power and lawful acts of the courts and 
executive officers of this great government? 



Can there be any other cause than that 
rich quicksilver mines have been discovered 
on the rancho; and that from the enormous 
product of these mines, the bfiuoticiaries have 
been able to fight the rightful owners and 
legal confirmees for more than thirty years, 
and to practically defy the Government of the 
United States? Is it creditable to the people 
of this country that such things can happen 
as are revealed in the record of this case? 

What does that record show? 

(1) That Governor Micheltorena in 1844 
granted to Vicente P. Gomez, a tract of land, 
containing four leagues of land, known as the 
rancho "Panoche Grande," located in what is 
now known as San Benito county, California. 

(2) On the 5th day of June, 1857, the 
United States District Court for the Southern 
District of California rendered a decision on 
an appeal from the United States Land Com- 
mission, confirming the claim of said Gomez 
to said rancho. On the 22nd of December, 
1857, William M'Garrahan purchased the 
land of Gomez for a valuable consideration. 
The decree of June 5, 1857, not having been 
signed and entered at the time, a decree nunc 
pro tunc was entered on the 5th day of Feb- 
ruary, 1858, covering four leagues, which 
was duly signed by the district judge, I. S. 
K. Ogier. 

On the 15th day of March, 1858, the 
United States appealed from the decree of the 
district court, as was their practice in all such 
cases. 

On the 31st of January, 1859, the appeal 
was finally dismissed, on motion of the at- 



SAN BENITO COUNTT. 



torney general, and an order to that effect 
was entered upon the records of the United 
States Supreme Court; and in March, 1859, 
the supreme court issued its mandate remand- 
ing the cause to the court below for such 
proceedings as ought to be had, in accord- 
ance with the decree of the district court 
confirming the grant, notwithstanding the 
said appeal. 

The mandate of the supreme court was 
filed in the district court below on the 4th 
day of May, 1859, whereupon the district 
court ordered adjudged and decreed that the 
said mandate be carried into effect and that 
the said (romez proceed under the decree of 
the district court theretofore rendered, as 
under a final decree. 

(3) At the December term, 1859, of the 
supreme court, on motion of the attorney 
general, the order previously made dismiss- 
ing the appeal was vacated and the mandate 
was recalled. The effect of this action of the 
court was to leave the Xew Idria Mining 
Company, who, in realty were merely a band 
of "squatters'" on the rancho, in the possess- 
sion of the quicksilver mines (then valued at 
$10,000,000) on the lands, and to take from 
the confirmee the means of the expulsion of 
that company from the premises. 

No appeal appears to have been taken sub- 
sequently until the 25th day of August, 
1862, when an fi.x parte order of appeal to the 
Supreme Court of the United States was ob- 
tained from the district court. 

On the ith day of December, 1862, on a 
submission of the facts under which it was 



obtained being presented, the District Court 
Fletcher M. Haight, judge, vacated the ap- 
peal and set aside the order allowing the 
same, and denied the motion of the United 
States district attorney for leave to make an 
appeal. 

The effect of this denial of an appeal, says 
the report of the committee on public lands, 
was a final confirmation of the grant. 

(4) On application for an official survey 
of the rancho, under the act of June 2, 1862, 
the United States Surveyor-general for Cali- 
fornia proceeded to make such survey, and 
reported the same to the Interior Depart- 
ment according to law, on the 11th day of 
September, 1862. On the 29th of December, 
1862, the Secretary of the Interior, Caleb B. 
Smith, rendered this opinion in the case, 
which was, "that the decree of the District 
Court for the Southern District of California, 
comfirming the grant had become final. The 
United States had no longer any interest in 
the controversy. No claim of third parties 
had been interposed;" and thereupon he di- 
rected the Commissioner of the General Land 
Ofiice " to issue a patent for the land in ac- 
cordance with the survey as reported by the 
surveyor-general." 

The order of the secretary was not com- 
plied with for some reason, before the expira- 
tion of his term of office, which was only a 
few days subsequent to the rendition of his 
decision. The matter was brought before 
Secretary Smith's successor, Hon. J. P. Usher, 
who rendered his opinion March 4, 1863, in 
which, after referring to the question decided 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



by Mr. Smith, he said: " I think, therefore, 
that the decision of my predecessor directing 
the patent was correct, and that it should 
issue." 

In obedience to the decision of Secretary 
Usher, a patent was executed to said Gomez 
and his assigns for the four leagues of land, 
in accordance with the survey, as reported by 
the United States surveyor-general for Cali- 
fornia. 

A record of a patent duly signed by the 
president, by his secretary to sign land 
patents with the seal of the general land 
office affixed, is found in the office of the 
commissioner of the general land office, on 
pages 312 to 321, inclusive, of Volume IV. 
of Confirmed California Mexican Land Grants. 
Although the Supreme Court of the United 
States, subsequent to the rendition of the de- 
cisions of Secretaries Smith and Usher, de- 
cided against the validity of the grant of 
than Gomez; yet it was not till more 
four years after the decision of the court 
that the record of the fact that a patent had 
been issued was discovered and brought to 
the knowledge of the court. 

(5) The public land committee of the 
house of representatives assert (pp. 11-12 of 
report) that all the decisions of the Supreme 
Court of the United States on this claim ad- 
verse to the grantee, have been founded on 
ex-parte affidavits and statements, and state- 
ments of at least doubtful veracity, and which 
are decisively disproved by documentary and 
record evidence of an official and judicial 
character, and that in the opinion of the 



committee the court was deceived and misled 
by such affidavits and statements. This, the 
committee say, was so evident to the House 
of the Forty-first Congress, when this case was 
before it for examination, that it adopted a 
resolution directing that all such decisions 
made since the execution of the [pate nt 
only those decisions affect the validity of 
title] should be disregarded in the settlement 
of this controversy. And the house resolu- 
tion directed the president of the United 
States to finally decide and dispose of the 
memorialists' claim as might "in his judg- 
ment be just and equitable, without regard (o 
any action or proceedings had subsequent to 
the ll/ih day of March, 1863, the date of the 
patent recorded.'''' 

The House committee on public lands 
(Forty-fifth Congress, second session), from 
whose report the foregoing facts are derived, 
also reproduces in extenso the reports of the 
House judiciary committees of the Fortieth 
and Forty-first Congresses on this case, both 
favorable to the grantee, together with the 
adoption by the House in each case of the 
bill offered by said committees "for the relief 
of William M'Garrahan." 

A synopsis of the evidence, or of its prin- 
cipal points, cited by the House committee, 
proving the existence and loss of the grant, 
is appended here as a part of the history of 
the case, and also because of the local histori- 
cal incidents therein brought out. 

James L. Ord testified before the land 
commission, February 12, 1853, that he was 
assistant surgeon of Company F, of the Third 



SAJSr BENITO COUNTY. 



Regiment, U. S. Artillery, in January, 1847, 
at Monterey; that he occupied a portion uf 
the customhouse at Moncerey with General 
W. T. Sherman (then captain) as quarters, 
another portion being occupied as a hospital 
under charge of witness; that the center of 
the building was used as a depository for 
naval stores; that in the room occupied as a 
hospital were Spanish papers which he a>ip- 
posed were old customhouse papers of no 
value, which were on shelves with doors, but 
were not locked; that the papers were not in 
charge of any one; and that some of them 
were used by him in putting up prescriptions 
for the sick; that witness did not undei-stand 
the Spanish language, and that it was one or 
two months before he found out that they 
were of any value from seeing the papers 
in the hands of Captain Halieck; that wit- 
ness thinks some of the papers were exj>e- 
dientes; that he does not recollect seeing maps 
in the papers, and that he cannot form an 
idea of the quantity of papers used; that 
some of them had numbers on the outside; 
that from January until May the papers 
were in such exposed condition; that witness 
left Monterey about the first of May and re- 
turned in June, when the papers were not in 
the place in which he left them; that he 
thinks Captain Halieck took charge of them 
when they were removed from the custom- 
house. 

Jose Castro testified February 24, 1853, 
that he was a resident of Monterey and was 
then forty-four years of age; that he knew 
Vicente Goniez, who was a Mexican by 



birth, and who liad lived in California since 
1832; that some time in 1844, on Gomez 
asking his advice as to where public land 
could be petitioned for, witness recommended 
the place called the Panoche Grande, east of 
San Juan Bautista about twenty-five leagues, 
for which Gomez received a concession from 
Governor Micheltorena; that the map shown 
witness and tiled with his testimony, is a 
correct delineation in the general outlines of 
said tract; that Gomez was a clerk in the 
commissary department at Monterey from 
some time in 1846, to the change of govern- 
ment. The witness testified that he knew 
the place well from personal observation, 
having camped upon it fifteen or twenty days 
while engaged in military service against the 
Indians; that he knew nothing on the matters 
of Gomez' occupation or visits to the place, 
as he had seen him only once after having 
recommended him to apply for land; that 
witness had filled the offices of political chief 
of California, and a member of the Territorial 
Diputacion; he had also been prefect, and 
commandante general. 

The next witness, Jose Abrego, who was 
examined October 27, 1853, testified through 
an interpreter that he was forty years of age 
and had lived in Monterey twenty years; 
that Gomez showed him a title or grant 
of the land called La Panoche Grande, near 
the rancho of San Luis Gonzaga, belonging 
to Francisco Pacheco, issued by Micheltorena 
in 1844 or 1843; that Gomez was at that 
time clerk in the office of the commissaries- 
general of California, of which witness was 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



the chief; that after that Gomez placed the 
same for safe keeping among the papers be- 
longing to the archives of said oiRce, where 
it remained until said archives were taken 
possession of by the American forces, July 7, 
1846; that witness was at the head of the 
commissary's office until that time, and 
Goraez remained as a clerk until then; that 
the title was signed by Micheltorena and 
Jiraeno, governor and secretary, and bore 
their true and genuine signatures; that he 
did not know the data of the grant; that it 
was lor four leagues; that he had seen a plat 
of the law and read it, but did not recollect 
the boundaries; that the plat annexed to 
Castro's testimony witness had seen before, 
at tlie same time he saw the title papers in 
the hands of Gomez; that it was drawn no 
the same kind of paper that he had in his 
office. 

In reply to questions by the United States 
law agent, witness said that Gomez was in 
his office for about two years; that the grant 
was issued at Monterey; that Micheltorena 
left Monterey for Los Angeles in February 
or March, 1845, and did not return until the 
occupation of the country by the United 
States; that Gomez joined General Jose 
Castro at the time Colonel Fremont appeared 
at Monterey about May, 1846; that witness 
frequently gave Gomez leave of absence for 
twenty days or a month; that he was em- 
ployed in the office of witness, but had to go 
to the office of the Secretary of State, when 
called upon to assist in that office. 

Ill reply to questions liy petitioner's attor- 



ney, witness testified that at nine o'clock in 
the morning of July 7, 1846, the American 
troops took possession of all the archives of 
the government, which were in the various 
public buildings at Monterey, and carried 
them in blankets to the customhouse build- 
ings, where there were about 400 men under 
Colonel Fremont, and where many of the 
papers constituting the public archives were 
torn up and destroyed; that from that time 
the archives remained in possession of the 
American authorities, and witness did not 
know what became of them ; that the papers 
which were destroyed were torn up and scat- 
tered about the streets and lost; that witness 
called upon Mr. Hartnell and requested him 
to remonstrate with Lieutenant Maddox, who 
was in command, to prevent further destruc- 
tion of the papers. 

A master of a whaling ship, testified before 
the land commission, that he was in Monte- 
rey in the fall of 1845, and was intimate with 
the family of Gomez, who offered to sell him 
three or four leagues of land, and showed him 
papers which he said were a title to the land 
from Micheltorena; that Gomez proposed at 
that time returning to Mexico; that witness 
then understood the Spanish language. 

Gomez, in his petition to the United States 
Land Commission, filed February 9, 1853, 
recites amongst other things that the lands 
for which he asks confirmation, called Pa- 
noche Grande, of the extent of four leagues, 
(now lying in the county of San Joaquin), 
are bounded on the south by the lands of 
Francisco Arias; on the north by the lands of 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



Julian Ursua and the low hills; and on the 
west by the barren hills, as explained by the 
map of tliereto annexed. He alleges that for 
some time before the military occupation of 
Monterey, California, by the American forces, 
July 7, 1846, he was a clerk in the Commis- 
ary's office of Monterey, and that at that time 
he had his original title-papers for said tract 
of land deposited in his desk in said office of 
the Commissary; that shortly before the 
naval forces of the United States took pos- 
session of the town of Monterey, he had left 
the town with some of the Mexican troops to 
assist in the defense of the country; that 
when he so left Monterey he left his said 
original grant of said land in his desk at 
the office of the Commissary as aforesaid, be- 
lieving it to be a secure place; that upon 
his return to Monterey he found it in pos- 
session of the United States troops, and the 
public buildings, offices, and papers were all 
in possession of and guarded by American 
soldiers; that he made application without 
delay to the American officer in charge of the 
office and papers where his said original title 
for said tract of land was deposited, but the 
said officer (Lieutenant Maddox, of the Uni- 
ted States Marine troops) refused to deliver 
any paper or papers then in his possession or 
under his charge. 

He further alleges that the map presented 
with his petition is the map which accompa- 
nied the original expediente, and that the 
grant made by Governor Micheltorena was 
the land delineated by this map. 

Gomez further avers that he became posses- 



sed of this map by permission of the proper 
officers, for the purpose of having a copy 
made for his use and benefit; and he had 
taken it to his present dwelling-house a short 
time before California fell into the hands of 
the American authorities. It had remained 
in his possession ever since. He has made 
application, he says, to the person in charge 
of archives of the former government, which 
were taken at Monterey for information in 
in relation to this grant, and title made to 
him, but it could not be found; nor was the 
original expediente found. 

Gomez concludes his petition to the Land 
Commission in these words: "Your petitioner 
has heard, and believes and alleges, that 
many original papers and documents belong- 
ing to the government archives taken at Mon- 
terey on July 7, 1846, have been since lost 
or destroyed. If such be the fact, his title 
papers and the expediente must have been 
among the papers and documents so lost and 
destroyed. Your petitioner hopes that, after 
such proof as the nature of the case will ad- 
mit, your honorable board will contirm his 
said claim to the said four leagues of land 
granted as aforesaid, and that he may have a 
decree accordingly, and general relief, as in 
duty bound." 

In the Panoche Grande case, all the evi- 
dence, as collated by the House land commit- 
tee, both oral and documentary, as in the case 
of all the other confirmed Mexican grants, 
strongly indicates the genuineness of this 
grant; and there is abundant warrant for 
the dictum, of old settlers in San Benito and 



SAN BENITO COUNTY. 



163 



Monterey counties, that the title of the gran- 
tee would never have been contested, had 
there never been discovered on it quicksilver 
mines. But this belief of laymen, in the 
equities of the grantees of this rancho, which 
have been fought with desperate persistence 
and cunning by a band of squatters for 
thirty-live years, is fortiiied by the decisions 
of two United States district judges, two sec- 
retaries of the interior, and lastly by an il- 
lustrious president of the United States, all 
of whom were known as honest conscientious 
and enlightened men and officers, who sought, 
moreover, in faithfully performing their of- 
ficial duties in connection with this remark- 



able case, to carry out their convictions — 
which, nevertheless, have not been realized, 
even to this day! How can American citi- 
zens study the long tortuous history of the 
fight which has been made in the courts, in 
Congress and before the various executive 
departments of the Government, including at 
least three presidents of the United States, 
against the final confirmation of title to the 
hona-Jide grantees of "Panoche Grande," 
without having their self-respect, their amor 
propria, seriously wounded? The scandals 
connected with this case have become intoler- 
able to the moral sense of the American 
people. 




SANTA SRUZ (BOUNTY, 



CHAPTER 1. 

NATURAL FEATUEES, LOCATION, TOPOGEAPHT, 
AND MINERALOGY. 

fHE county of Santa Cruz, (Holy Cross,) 
is centrally situated on the coast of 
California, extending from the bay of 
Monterey northwesterly some forty miles, by 
an extreme width of about fifteen miles, and 
it contains something less than 440 square 
miles, or 280,000 acres. It extends from the 
Pacific ocean to the summit of the Santa 
Cruz range of mountains, a section of the 
coast range, which separates it from Santa 
Clara county, on the northeast. 

It is bounded on the north by San Mateo 
and Santa Clara counties; on the east by 
Santa Clara county; and on the south and 
west by the Pacific ocean. 

The southwesterly or ocean slope of the 
Santa Cruz range of mountains is heavily 
timbered with redwood oak, fir, etc., thus mak- 
ing lumber one of the important resources 
of the county. The numerous valleys 
drained by the San Lorenzo, Soquel, Pfijaro, 
Aptos, Valencia, and several other smaller 
streams, embrace some of the richest and 
most productive lands in the State. Loma 
Prieta, sometimes known as Mount Baclie, is 



the highest peak of the Santa Cruz range, 
being about 3,000 feet above the sea level. 
It is some twenty miles northeast from the 
county seat, and is a conspicuous landmark, 
being visible many miles out at sea. Its 
summit is often covered with snow in winter, 
although there is a thermal belt along the 
foot-hills, above the level of the valleys, where 
frost is hardly ever seen. 

The location of Santa Cruz, on the sea 
coast, gives the county an equable climate 
in summer, as the daily sea breeze, coming 
directly from the ocean, without being heated 
by passing over intervening laud, has very 
nearly the same temperature which it has on 
the sea; whereas this same breeze becomes 
gradually heated more and more, as it 
passes overland into the interior. It is 
thus that the immediate coast area of Califor- 
nia, from its extreme northwest to its ex- 
treme southwest boundaries, has the finest 
summer climate that can be found anywhere 
in the world. Lying between the main, or 
Santa Cruz mountains and the ocean, is a 
lower range, the trend of which corresponds 
with that of the seacoast. More than three- 
fourths of this county consists of hills or 
rolling lands and mountains, all of which are 
well timbered with pine, oak or redwood. 



SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. 



Large quantities of lumber are manufactured 
from pine, and redwood, most of which find 
a market in San Francisco or San Jose, being 
shipped either by rail or from several small 
coves and harbors along the coast. The Santa 
Cruz mountains are well watered, and many 
streams flow through the canons directly 
west into the Pacific, while a large number 
unite to form the San Lorenzo river, which 
courses south through the middle of this re- 
markably fertile county, and empties into 
Monterey bay. 

MINERAL RESOURCES. 

Among its minerals that can be counted as 
a known source of actual wealth are: gold, 
silver, bituminous rock, coal, mercury and 
lime, together with sufficient building stone 
for local purposes. Placer mining is carried 
on along various creeks when water is abun- 
dant, and generally yields fair wages to those 
engaged in it. Placer gold has been found 
on Wardell artfl Major creeks, and Gold 
Gulch near Felton; while accounts are given 
in the report of the State Mineralogist of 
the gold found being coarse-grained, some 
pieces of which were worth from twenty-five 
cents to ten dollars. Tarious attempts have 
been made to discover the source of the 
placer gold, but thus far prospecting has met 
with but little success, the great obstacle 
being the depth of soil covering the rock 
formation, and the dense growth it maintains, 
both of which prove great hinderances; yet 
a few mineral bearing ledges have been found. 

Auriferous black sand is worked in the 



San Andres hills, where gold was found sev- 
eral years ago, and a company organized in 
1886. This sand is the remains of an old 
sea buach, now forming dunes and hills of 
friable sand-rock and beds of sand. The 
latter deposits contain these black sands car- 
rying gold. 

Several small veins of coal have been dis- 
covered, and small quantities have been 
mined about fifteen miles north of Watson- 
ville, in the Santa Cruz mountains and on 
the Corralitos creek, and croppings have been 
found on the Valencia creek and also near 
Felton. 

The State Mineralogist reports, in 1888, 
that the bituminous rock deposits were yield- 
ing large quantities of paving material. The 
total shipments for the year are given at 
8,182 tons. The industry is growing and 
becoming very important, as the supply is 
practically inexhaustible, with a future de- 
mand likely to be unlimited. 

Asphalt pavements properly laid are ex- 
ceedingly popular in large cities, as Wash- 
ington, Paris, etc., although liable in winter 
to be injured by frosts, while in Clalifornia 
they are nearly free from this trouble. 

Bituminous rock is formed by the dis- 
charge of liquid asphaltum, or " brea" as it 
is called in Spanish, from springs upon sand 
or gravel, with which it mingles, thus form- 
ing a conglomerate, from which the volatile 
portions are, in course of years, thoroughly 
evaporated. It is thus by natural processes 
that a composite material is formed, which, 
when subjected to a high degree of heat and 



SANTA OBUZ COUNTY. 



mixed with lime, and properly treated, makes 
one of the best paving materials, at least in 
a frostless country, which has ever been dis- 
covered. 

The Californians, as well as the Americans 
in early times, especially in the southern 
portions of the State, where lumber was 
scarce, adopted this method of roofing their 
houses. 

CHAPTER II. 



fHE history of early voyages along the 
coast of Alta California has been given 
elsewhere in this work. The description 
of Cabrillo's explorations in 1542-'43, three 
and a half centuries ago, as given in the histori- 
cal sketch of Monterey county, will serve with- 
out repetition here, with slight variations, as 
a correct account of that pioneer navigator's 
voyage along the coast of Santa Cruz, as well 
as of San Mateo. The same maybe said of 
Vizcaino's voyage, sixty years later. It is 
not to be supposed that Cabrillo, before his 
death, January 3, 1543, or Ferrelo, his suc- 
cessor in command, or Vizcaino, at those re- 
mote periods, and in this remote part of the 
world, penetrated inland at any point to any 
o-reat distance as they sailed along these un- 
known shores. 

The true historical period of California 
commences with the founding of the Fran- 
ciscan missions, in the year 1769. This date 
marks an important epoch, because it signal- 
izes the introduction of European civilization 
into a region, where hitherto only ignorant 



savages and wild animals had lived. The 
missions symbolize the coming and perma- 
nent settlement of a race of men capable of 
making, as well as recording, history. 

Although the Indians of Central California 
were very numerous at the time of the ad- 
vent of the Franciscan fathers, their intelli- 
gence was of so low a grade, that their annals, 
even if they had been preserved, would have 
possessed but little interest for Europeans. 
Evidently they had made but little progress 
in evolution, during the unknown ages of 
their occupation of this land, where the 
climate was so mild, and Nature so kind, that 
they were enabled to live almost without 
exertion. The Indian tribes, whose habita- 
tions were in the Rocky mountains, or in the 
northern part of North America, were un- 
doubtedly stimulated by the rigors of a colder 
climate and by their environment to activity, 
both physical and mental, that was unknown 
to the torpid aborigines of California. Thus, 
the former had developed into spirited and 
war-like races, while the latter had remained 
apparentlj', for ages, on a dead level, but little 
at all above that of the wild animals, which 
disputed with them the mastery of the land 
over which both roamed. 

The establishment of a mission on the San 
Lorenzo river was finally determined on in 
1789, although the fathers had known of 
the desirableness of the site for several years. 
Rivera and Palou on their return from their 
exploring expedition to San Francisco, in 
1774, had examined and approved the loca- 
tion. Ralou, in speaking of this and several 



SANTA CRUZ OOUNTT. 



other sites, which thej had examined during 
their trip, makes this record in his diary: 
" God grant that in my day I may see them 
occupied by missions, and in them assembled 
all the gentiles who inhabit their vicinities, 
and that none of the latter die without holy 
baptism, to the end that the number of the 
children of God and His holy church be in- 
creased, and also of the vassals of our Catho- 
lic Monarch." 

After sundry delays, caused by correspond- 
ence with the viceroy, whose authority it was 
necessary to obtain, President Lasuen pro- 
ceeded to the work of founding the mission 
of Santa Cruz. He thus describes the steps 
taken under date of September 28, 1791, a 
little more than 100 years ago: " In view of 
the superior order of His Excellency, I at 
once named the missionaries. I asked and 
obtained from the comandante of this pre- 
sidio, the necessary aid for exploring anew 
the region of Soledad, and there was chosen 
a site having some advantages over the two 
previously considered. I applied to the mis- 
sions for vestments and sacred vessels; and 
as soon as the commander of the A.ranzazu 
furnished the servants allowed for the new 
establishment, I proceeded to Santa Clara, 
in order to examine anew, in person, tlie site 
of Santa Cruz. I crossed the Sierra by a long 
and rough way, and found in the site the 
same excellent fitness that had been reported 
to me. I found, besides, a stream of water 
very near, copious and important. On the 
day of St. Augustine, August 28, 1791, I 
said Mass, and a cross was raised on the spot 



where the establishment is to be. Many 
gentiles came, large and small, of both sexes, 
and showed that they would gladly enlist un- 
der the sacred standard, thank God! I re- 
turned to Santa Clara by another way, 
rougher, bnt shorter and more direct. I had 
the Indians improve the road and was per- 
fectly successful; because for this, as for 
everything else, the comandante of San Fran- 
cisco, Don Hermenegildo Sal, has furnished 
with the greatest activity and promptness 
all the aid I have asked for. I ordered some 
little huts made, and I suppose that by this 
time the missionaries are there. I found 
here in Monterey, the two corvettes of the 
Spanish expedition; and the commander's 
power of pleasing obliged me to wait their 
departure. I endeavored to induce them to 
transport the Santa Cruz supplies by water, 
but it could not be accomplished. Day before 
yesterday, however, some were sent there by 
land, and with them a man from the schooner, 
which came from Nootka, under Don Juan 
Carrasco. The plan is to see if there is any 
shelter for a vessel on the coast near Santa 
Cruz, and there to transport what is left. To- 
morrow a report is expected. This means is 
sought because we lack animals. To-day 
eleven Indians have departed from here with 
tools to construct a shelter at Soledad for the 
padres and the supplies. I and the other 
padres are making preparations, and my de- 
parture thither will be by the favor of God, 
the day after, from San Francisco, October 8, 
at least." 

The foregoing is quoted at length as it af- 



SANTA CRUZ COUNTT. 



fords the reader of to-day a glimpse of the 
difBculties the good fathers labored under in 
carryinor forward their important nndertak- 
inc of establishino; a mission here, and it also 
represents a picture of things as they were a 
century ago, — multitudes of wild Indians, but 
few whites, and they compelled to travel be- 
yond the immediate precincts of the mis- 
sions with a military escort; the country 
rough and without roads; everything to be 
done, with scant means to do with. Thus 
may we gain some slight conception of the 
difficulties under which European civilization 
was introduced into this land, where we now 
have our homes, surrounded as they now are, 
by all the aopliances of modern civilization. 

On the 23d of September, Ensign Sal, with 
two friars of San Jose, arrived from San Fran- 
cisco presido, and some neopliytes con- 
structed a cabin to shelter the priests, and 
when all was ready, on Sunday, the 25th day 
of September, 1791, with religious ceremo- 
nies, conducted by the padres, and the tiring 
of salutes, the Mission of the Holy Cross, or 
Santa Cruz was duly founded. 

The contributions of the neighboring mis- 
sions to the new establishment, according to 
one account were: Santa Clara, 151 head of 
cattle, nineteen horses, eighteen fanegas of 
grain; San Francisco, six yoke of oxen, 100 
swine, twelve mules and eight otlier animals. 

The Fathers seemed to have been success- 
ful ill gathering the Indians into the church, 
for within tive years after they commenced 
their labors in this field their converts 
numbered over 500, which indicates that In- 



dians were very plentiful hereabouts in those 
days. How many remained outside the fold, 
within this jurisdiction, we are not informed, 
but probably a considerable number, although 
the sight of even 500 nearly naked, wild In- 
dians roaming about this valley and among 
the adjacent hills, at the present time, would 
be likely to produce something of a sensation. 

Up to and including the year 1800, accord- 
ing to the records kept by the friars, about 
950 Indians had been baptized at this mission ; 
270 couples had been married, and about 475 
persons had been buried. The increase of 
ganado mayor (large animals or cattle) from 
the small number brought to the mission, 
amounted to over 2,000, and that of ganado 
■menor (small animals) had been at about the 
same ratio. 

The production uf grain the first season 
after the foundincf of the mission was about 
650 bushels; while for the year 1800 it 
amounted to over 4,000 bushels. A mill for 
grinding grain was built in 1796. 

The corner- stone of the church was laid on 
the 27th of February, 1793, and the building 
was sufficiently completed to be occupied the 
next year. It was built of adobes, with stone 
foundation; its dimensions being 112x30, 
and twenty-five feet high. Although timber 
was plenty near by, tlio fathers were without 
means to utilize it, and consequently most of 
the permanent buildings of that and a long 
subsequent period, throughout the Territory, 
were constructed of adobe or of stone. 

A paragraph in a letter written in 1798, 
clearly shows the contrast between then and 



SANTA VRUZ COUNTY. 



now. Fernandez writes: "one hundred and 
tliirty-eiglit neophytes have deserted, leaving 
only thirty or forty to work, while the land is 
overflowed and the planting not half done. 
* * * The cattle are dying, and a dead 
whale on the beach has attracted a multitude 
of wolves and bears." 

Engineer Cordoba reports, August 1, 1798, 
that Santa Cruz has 3,435,600 sqnare varas of 
irrigable lands, of which 1,120,000 are sin 
ahrir, and pastures one-and-a-half by eight 
or nine leagues, with seven permanent streams. 

CHAPTER III. 

FOUNDING OF PUEBLOS. 

tN the year 1795 recommendations came 
from Spain to the viceroy, to select a place 
^ for the founding of a pueblo, the object 
being to inaugurate and encourage the forma- 
tion of secular establishments as contradis- 
tinguished from those which were wholly 
under clerical control. This highly judicious 
policy did not in the least detract from the 
credit which the church was entitled to, in its 
work of subduing, and practically civilizing 
the Indians, since there was room then, as 
there is to-day, for the State and the church, 
and for all churches, to work on totally difr 
ferent, but perfectly harmonious lines, for 
the healthy development of the country and 
the upbuilding of the commonwealth. If the 
missions or clerical authorities had looked 
with favor, instead of jealousy, on the policy 
of establishing pueblos, and the granting of 
lands to Spanish and Mexican citizens in Cali- 



fornia, both parties might have been helpful 
to each other, as in later years and under a 
different regirne, the parties representing 
each, were thus helpful. If the friars could 
have brought themselves to see that there 
was land enough for all, and had not opposed 
the acquisition of land by actual settlers, who 
would have become their allies in the work 
of converting the people of this vast territory 
into a Christianized and civilized province, the 
hard destructive policy of secularization might 
not have become necessary. It was certainly 
short-sighted policy, even from the stand- 
point of the church, though that church were 
a State institution, in so goodly, fruitful and 
fair a land as this, to force the government 
to adopt the harsh measure that it finally did 
adopt of taking away from the missions all 
the lands of the province, because they were 
not willing that some of those lands should 
be occupied and cultivated by actual settlers. 
Besides the government desired to encourage 
the raising of grain and other supplies for 
the military establishments in California, to 
save the expense of shipping them from 
great dstances. 

The pueblo of San Jose was founded in 
1776; that of Los Angeles in 1781, and that 
of Branciforte, near the Mission of Santa 
Cruz in 1797. The settlers of these pueblos 
at iirst were mostly soldiers, whose terms had 
expired. Afterward, trappers, sailors and 
thers who had come to the country naturally 
gravitated to the pueblos. There was greater 
freedom of action or independence enjoyed 
by the citizens of these free towns, than ihe 



170 



SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. 



same class would possess at the inissions. 
Under the laws of Spain, citizens of pneblos 
were entitled to various rights of ownership 
of land, or building-lots and water, with tim- 
ber and pastorale. Under the laws of the 
Indies, pueblos were entitled to the absolute 
control of the waters of running streams on 
which they were situated. 

That the pueblos did not show any thing 
like the progress in material prosperity ex- 
hibited by the missions may seem strange 
at first sight, but as Bancroft well says, it 
was because the problem was a more compli- 
cated one; and he suggested two fatal obsta- 
cles to their success, (1) in the worthless char- 
acter (if the half-bred settlers, and (2) the 
lack of provincial commerce to stimulate in- 
dustry. 

In the year of 1800 the populaiion of the 
missions (eighteen in number) was estimated 
at over 13,000; and the total number of 
ganado mayor., horses, cattle, etc., had in- 
creasd to over 65,000; and sheep, etc., gan- 
ado menor, to 85,000. 

The yield of grain including beans, lentils, 
peas, etc., for the year was estimated at about 
75,000 bushels. 

The population of the three pueblos in the 
same year was only about 550, and they 
owned nearly 17,000 head of stock, mostly 
horned cattle. This of course includes 
rancheros who engaged in stock-raising, out- 
side of pueblo limits. 

According to Spanish laws, pueblos were 
entitled to a small guard of soldiers, in 
acalde, regidores and a comisionado. This 



system continued down to, and even after the 
change of government in 1846. Labor was 
mostly done in the pueblos, as in the mis- 
sions, by Indians. In the vineyards, espe- 
cially in and about the pueblo of Los Angeles, 
work was mainly done by Indians, even as 
late as late as 1875, because their labor was 
cheaper, and because they understood vine- 
yard work, particularly irrigation, better than 
white or American laborers, who as a rule 
had had little or no experience in practical 
irrigation. 

There is a deal of good sense contained in 
Engineer M. Costanso's report of 1794, in 
wich he says: " The first thing to be thought 
ofjin my opinion, is to people the country. Pre- 
sidios to support missions are well enough 
for a time, but there seems to be no end of 
them. Some missions (in other provinces) 
have been for 100 years in charge of friars 
and presidial guards. The remedy is to in- 
troduce gente de razon, (people of reason) 
among the natives from the beginning. Cali- 
fornians understand this and clamor for in- 
dustrious citizens. Each ship should carry a 
number of families, with a proper outfit. 
The king supplies his soldiers with tools; 
why not the farmer and mechanic as well? 
They should be settled near the missions, and 
mingle with the natives. Thus the missions 
will become towns in twenty-five or thirty 
years. " 

The views of Father Salazar and Sefian, 
who were in Mexico in 1796, are of interest 
in this connection. According to Bancroft's 
version, the former reported, that "the inhabi- 



SAJfTA CRUZ COUNT?. 



tants of the pueblos were idlers, paying more 
attention to gambling and playing the guitar 
than to tilling their lands and educating 
their children; as the pagans did most of the 
work. Young men grew up without re- 
straint and wandered among the rancherias 
setting the Indians a bad example, and in- 
dulging in excesses that were sure, sooner or 
later, to result in disaster. The great remedy 
was to build up commerce, and give the col- 
onists an incentive to industry. Now they 
could not sell tlieir produce; they obtained a 
small price for what they did sell, and often 
they could not get the articles they wanted in 
payment, or liad to pay excessive rates for 
them " 

Father Seilan's report, dated May 14, 1796 , 
at the College of San Fernando, urged the 
importance of introducing a better class of 
settlers; and Governor Borica, in his corres- 
pondence with the viceroy, agreed with the 
views of these fatliers and favored encourage- 
ment of commerce, as the surplus products 
cannot be sold. 

Governor Sola later, in 1817, urged, as es- 
sentia] for the development of the agricult- 
ural and commercial resources of California, 
the introduction of 500 Spanish families; 
the opening of the overland or Colorado 
river route, and the sending of, at least, two 
vessels to transport from here to a market, 
the surplus products of the province. 

According to the laws of the Indies each 
pueblo was entitled to four square leagues of 
land. It was expected thp missions would 
become pueblos when the neophytes could 



take possessicni in severalty of the lands 
hitherto occupied in common under the 
mission system. None of these anticipated 
results ever came about, as the Indians were 
not capable of becoming citizens in the 
European sense of the word. The provincial 
or temporary granting of land to settlers in 
California, commenced very soon after its 
permanent occupation by Europeans; that is, 
settlers of good character were permitted to 
go on unoccupied lands for the purpose of 
cultivating them or raising cattle, temporarily, 
leaving the matter of conceding absolute 
title for future determinatioD. 

CHAPTER IV. 

ANNALS OF THE PUEBLO AND MISSION FROM 

1800 TO 1822. 

N DUSTRY and the tools of industry, at the 
beginning of the new century, at the pne- 
■^ bios as well as at missions and presidios, 
were exceedingly rude, and tiiere were but 
few mechanics in the province to use them. 
There were a number of tanneries and jabon- 
erias or soap-making establishments scattered 
throughout the country, and a two-story 
granary and a house for looms had been 
built in Santa Cruz in 1793. Artisans in 
March, 1796, from another district, with the 
help of the natives built a flour mill, utiliz- 
ing water power at Santa Cruz, and also a 
few looms at San Luis Obispo. Four mill 
stones were ordered made at Santa Cruz for 
San Carlos mission. Metates or hand-mills 
for grinding grain were in common use at 
that time in nearly every home. Buildings 



SANTA CBUZ COUNTY. 



were mostly of adobe, tlie roofs being covered 
either with tile or, where timber was scarce, 
with earth overlaid with a coating of hrea or 
asphaltum. 

The useful grains and domestic animals 
were brought to Alta California by the first 
settlers and as the result showed contributed 
in a wonderful degree to the prosperity of 
the country. What has been known for 
many years in California as the "mission 
grape," was brought from Spain to Mexico, 
and to lower California, and from the latter 
province here, probably very soon after the 
founding of the first missions. There is 
little reason to doubt that olives, pears, and 
possibly apricots and peaches, with an inferior 
variety of apples, had a very early introduc- 
tion, but precisely when is a matter of uncer- 
tainty; while oranges were brought to the 
southern missions very much later. 

Before 1800 attention had been directed to 
the raising of hemp, which met with some 
success at the pueblo of San Jose; coarse 
hemp cloth being used to some extent by the 
neophytes at San Carlos. 

The increase in live-stock from the small 
number first brought from la Eaja to Alta or 
northern California in 1769, had been regu- 
lar and rapid, except during the year of 
drought in 1794:-'95, when many animals 
died for want of grass. 

All the ranches had a large amount of 
stock at the end of the century, more particu- 
larly the ranch del Rey in the Salinas valley, 
with its branches at San Francisco and San 
Diego; the cattle and sheep being the main 



dependence of the presidios, while the horses 
were used pi'incipally in the cavalry service. 

The valleys and low hilly regions of Cali- 
fornia were the natural habitat of various 
nutritious- grasses, and it is not strange that 
live-stock, especially neat cattle, in the early 
times when there were no fences and the 
whole country was an open common, should 
have multiplied very rapidly, despite all 
drawbacks, such as the inci'easing slaughter 
for food, by both man and wild beast, which 
latter for many years were extraordinarily 
plentiful. The principal grasses were wild 
oats, alfileria, "tilaree" or pin-grass, and bur- 
clover. The wild-oat ranges were liable to 
be "eaten out" or fed so closely as to prevent 
seeding, especially on ranges where the 
stock increased rapidly. The same was liable 
to happen, and in later years did happen, with 
alfileria ranges; but to "eat out" the bur- 
clover was next to impossible, for no matter 
how closely fed or hoM' dry the season might 
be, this very valuable natural grass would 
yield seed even if barely above ground; and 
its spiral, rolling seed would, with the aid of 
the wind, "sow itself," thus each year mak- 
ing sure of a crop the succeeding year. 

The increase of stock was so great in after 
years, or during the first half of the present 
centnry, that horses being considered less 
valuable than neat cattle, were either killed 
off or permitted to wander off, or, in a num- 
ber of cases during a drought they were driven 
to the interior where they became wild. 

After the great influx of people, drawn 
hither by the gold mines in thp early '50s, 



SANI'A CRUZ COUNTY. 



the "wild horses" ofthe"Tulares" were caught, 
as animals without owners, in large numbers 
and tamed and broken by the settlers of the 
coast counties. 

Jf rior to the founding of Branciforte, which 
was a source of considerable expense to the 
government, the annual appropriation from 
the royal treasury in Mexico, for the main- 
tenance in California of the military and civil 
ofHcers and employes of the crown, amounted 
to over $60,000 and subsequently to $80,000. 

The military force maintained in Califor- 
nia during the decade 1791-1800, was 280 
men of the presidial companies, besides gov- 
ernor and surgeon, and after 1796, ninety 
Catalan volunteers and artillerymen. Of 
these twelve were commissioned officers, 
thirty-five non-commissioned officers and 
about 240 privates. The salaries were: Gov- 
ernor, $4,000; Captain of Catalan volunteers, 
$840; Alferez (ensign), $400; and minor of- 
ficers smaller amounts. The officers of both 
civil and military governor in California dur- 
ing the Spanish regime seemed to have been 
filled by the same person. 

The population of the Santa Cruz Mission, 
in 1796, was a little over 500. Father Fran- 
cisco Gonzales was in charge of this mission 
from 1797 until 1805. 

The question was agitated in 1796-'97 of 
separating Upper and Lower California into 
two separate provinces in order to secure a 
more convenient and efficient government of 
each district, but as very little action was 
taken in that direction the final separation did 
not occur until 1804, when it was brought 



about in a very quiet manner and with no 
noticeable change in the northern portion. 

In 1801 $15,000 were furnished by the 
viceroy for the support of Branciforte and 
for the continuance of work at that pueblo, 
which at a later period, however, was sus- 
pended. 

Goycoechea reported that Branciforte lacked 
all the advantages enjoyed by the other pueb- 
los, inasmuch as the mission was in posses- 
sion of all the available lands in the vicinity. 
Besides the character of the settlers was not 
such as to justify the expectation of success 
in building up a self-sustaining and self-gov- 
ering town. Comandante de laGuerra rather 
uncharitably wrote the governor that they 
were not so bad as other convicts sent to Cali- 
fornia, but that their absence for a couple of 
centuries, at a distance of a million leagues, 
would prove beneficial to the province and re- 
dound to the service of God and the king! 
But it should be said in extenuation of these 
settlers, that without lauds, or with only a 
small quantity obtainable, not much ought to 
have been expected of them in the way of 
town building. The fact was the mission 
entirely overshadowed the pueblo. In 1806 
the latter had only seven small mud and tim- 
ber houses, thatched with tule, and the num- 
ber of inhabitants, including several invalids 
and their families from Monterey and else- 
where, were only forty-six. The other pue- 
blos, San Jose and Los Angeles on the con- 
trary, were situated in the midst of fertile 
valleys at some distance from a mission with 
large amounts of land available, which served 



174 



SANTA GBUZ COUNTY. 



to draw to them a better class of settlers than 
those of Branciforte. Under all the circum- 
stances it is therefore, not surprising that 
Branciforte gradually fell iuto decadence. 
Vicente Mojica was alcalde in 1802 and Fe- 
lipe Hermandez in 1805; of otlier years, there 
is no record. In 1807 the missionaries, Ca- 
ranza and Quintana insisted that the lands of 
the town from which fields might be assigned 
to vecinos or neighboring residents and inva- 
lids extended only to the Rancho de Bravo or 
the Soquel and to Aptos or Corralitos, and 
that all other lands belonged to the mission. 

The population of California in 1810 was 
estimated at about 21,000, of whom about 
one-tenth were gente de razon, or people of 
reason, there being very little increase during 
the following twenty years. Live-stock was 
estimated at that time at 140,000 head of 
ganado mayor (large animals), and 157,000 
head of small animals, mostly sheep. About 
84,000 bushels of grain were the average 
annual yield of all the missions at that period. 

The missions, considered as estates of the 
king, were capable, in case of a conquest of 
this country by another power, of furnishing 
abundant supplies of all kinds. 

The governor and others strongly protested 
against the sending of convicts to California. 
It is recorded that of the sixteen convicts, in 
1803, under the control of the authorities of 
the Monterey jurisdiction, eight were at 
Branciforte, five at San Jose, two at the pre- 
sidio, and one at the ranch Buena Vista. 

An order was issued to tlie effect that in 
granting pueblo lots, settlers should be en- 



titled to receive them first, if there were not 
enough for all, as Invalids could depend on 
their pensions. 

Langsdoff, in his "Voyages," mentions that 
in 1806, the cattle had become so numerous 
in the valleys around San Francisco bay and 
at Santa Cruz, that the governor had been 
compelled to send out soldiers to slaughter 
20,000 head. 

In 1812, Father Quintana was murdered 
by his neophytes at Santa Cruz, and Governor 
Arrillagadied two years later. Captain Jose 
Arguello became acting governor, until the 
appointment of his successor, Tablo Vicente 
de Sola, who assumed the duties of the office 
the next year. 

In 1818, " el ano de los Insurgentes^^ all 
the inhabitants of the province, were greatly 
excited because of news received, that two 
privateers were fitting out at the Sandwich 
Islands for an attack on California. Gover- 
nor Sola issued orders to all the comand- 
antes, to be on the alert, and there was 
everywhere the greatest activity displayed in 
preparation for the coming of the piratical 
vessels, and provision was made for concen- 
trating, with the utmost promptness, as iai'ge 
a force as possible, at whatever point the 
enemy might attempt to land. 

It seems that Bouchard, who was in com- 
mand of the piratical crafts, sailed under some 
sort of letters of marque, and under the flag 
of the insurgents of Buenos Ayres, who with 
the people of other Spanish American coun- 
tries had raised the standard of revolution 
against the mother country, Spain. Of course, 



SANTA ORUZ COUNTY. 



175 



the church took sides, as a rule, against the 
revolutionists, although iu Mexico, Hidalgo, 
a priest, led the revolt of that country against 
Spain to a successful issue. 

Bancroft gives a minute account of the 
excitement at Santa Cruz, caused by the ex- 
pected incursion of Bouchard's forces and 
robbery of that mission. Padre Ramon 
Olbes believed, or affected to believe, that the 
Branciforte settlers would join the insurgents 
in robbing the mission, and he subsequently 
chai'ged that on the approach of the vessels, 
they had sacked the mission, intending to lay 
the blame on the insurgents, who, however, 
by not landing, left them in the lurch. 

Governor Sola ordered an investigation, 
Olbes in the meantime having abandoned the 
mission and gone with his neophytes to 
Santa Clara Joaquin Buelna, comislonado, 
was instrncted by the governor to go to the 
mission and carry away everything movable. 
Before the completion of his task, however, 
Bouchard appeared, but was unable to land on 
account of the rough surf. Joaquin Castro, 
the mayordomo of the mission, with some of 
the neophytes, returned and found Buelna 
hard at work moving the mission goods. 
When he found that this was being done by 
order of the governor, he joined his force to 
that of the comisionado. A portion of the 
goods were inventoried by Buelna, and taken 
to the pueblo; some were buried and some 
were taken by Castro to Santa Clara. 

The friars, after getting over their fright, 
which was mostly without cause, finally ad- 
mitted that the danger had been exaggerated. 



Olbes went back to his mission, and matters 
went on as before. Although the two pirate 
or insurgent vessels, anchored in the bay of 
Monterey and engaged in a tight with the 
fort, of which an account is given elsewhere 
in this volume, there is no evidence that any 
of Bouchard's men landed at Santa Cruz. 

This advent of the ''insurgentes" or pirates 
on this coast in 1818, created a great sen- 
sation throughout California. Governor 
Pio Pico, who is still, 1892, living at Los 
Angeles, at the age of ninety-one years, hav- 
ing been born May 5, 1801, has recounted to 
the writer how his father Sergeant Jose M. 
Pico of the artillery company at San Diego 
was sent in 1818 to San Gabriel to put down 
a rising of the neophytes, and that during the 
same year he was recalled to San Diego to 
assist in the defense of that port against 
some pirates, which, however, sailed by in 
sight without entering the harbor, although 
the inhabitants and military authorities had 
made ample preparations to receive them. 

The fathers in charge of the missions at 
Santa Cruz, from 1811 to 1820 were: Quin- 
taiia, Kodriquez, Tapis, Marquinez Escudi, 
Olbes and Gil. 

In 1817, the control of the rancho Bolsa 
de Salispuedez, was temporarily transferred 
by the pueblo to the missions. 

In 1816, Governor Sola gave the comision- 
ado of Branciforte, minute instructions as to 
the government of the town, requiring watch- 
fulness against gambling and other vices, and 
insisting that religious duties be enforced; 
prohibiting all intercourse between citizens 



176 



SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. 



and Indians; enjoining industrious habits on 
the settlei-s, and finally, that full reports must 
be made '■'■de los torrenos y de las cosechas''' 
(i. e., of the lands and of the crops ). 

The total population of Spanish or mixed 
blood, known as gente de razon in 1820, was 
estimated at something over 3,000 souls; and 
of foreigners not of Spanish or Indian parent- 
age, twelve; of these Thomas Doak and 
Daniel Call, who came in 1816, and Joseph 
Chapman in 1818, were Americans; John 
Gilroj in 1814, and John Kose in 1818, were 
Scotchmen; Thomas Lester in 1817, and I. 
Thomas in 1818, were Englishmen; John 
Mulligan in 1814 or 1815, was an Irishman; 
Jose Bolcof in 1815, was a Russian; Juan 
Cristobal in 1816, M. J. Fascual and Fisher 
or Norris in 1818, were negroes. 

Tiiere were at this time (1820), twenty 
missions and thirty-seven missionaries. Of 
these Father Senan was the only one left who 
came before 1790. 

The total neophyte population in 1820 was 
estimated to have been a little over 20,000 
souls. 

The mission register up to this date showed 
that there had been altogether of gente de ra- 
zon^ 250 marriages, 1,375 births, and 535 
deaths. 

The estimate of mission cattle was 140,000 
head; horses, 18,000; mules, 1,900; and 
sheep, 190,000 head. The amount of grain 
raised during the preceding ten years aver- 
aged nearly 114,000 bushels per year, or be- 
tween 5,000 and 6,000 bushels for each 
mission. 



The president of the missions in 1820 was 
Father Seilan, Payeras having been elected 
prefect. The missions mainly supported the 
provincial government, including the presid- 
ios during this period, as no aid came from 
Mexico. 

The settlers at the pueblos were not in- 
clined to labor with their own hands, but were 
accustomed to get the Indians to till lands 
for one-third or one-half the crops, liv- 
ing themselves on the balance. 

Although timber was abundant in the 
Santa Cruz mountains, there were no saw- 
mills and all the lumber had to be hewn or 
sawed by hand. Mention is made in the local 
records that in 1816, Sergeant Pico was 
directed to build a bridge across the Pajaro 
river. 

The weather reports show that the season 
of 1816-'17, was a very wet one, and that of 
1820-'21 was a dry one. 

The fathers complained that soldiers, as well 
as Indians, often killed the tame cattle while 
slaughtering the wild ones. 

CHAPTER V. 

INDEPENDENCE OF MEXICO — 1822 to 1846. 

fALIFORNIA was influenced, of course, 
to a certain extent by the political 
changes in Mexico from the regime of 
Spanish rule to independence, first as an em- 
pire and finally as a republic. 

THET MET AT SANTA CRDZ IN THE LONG AGO. 

About the year 1822, William Thompson, 
an Englishman, lauded at Santa Cruz and 



SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. 



177 



started a business in hides and tallow. His 
native place was London. His father was a 
sail-maker, and there lived the family, mother, 
brother and sisters. With regret and sorrow 
they parted with William when he went to 
sea, and after a time they ceased to hear from 
him. Years went by, and the father grieved 
and the mother pined for her son as time 
went on. At last another son, Samuel, pro- 
posed to go in search of his brother; his plan 
was agreed to, and he started. How loug he 
sailed and where he went is not known; but 
after awhile he was on a ship that came to 
Santa Cruz. Here was anchored at that time 
another ship, taking on board a cargo of 
hides. Samuel came ashore, and inquiring 
for the captain of that ship, asked him if 
among his crew there was a William Thomp- 
son. The captain said he did not know cer- 
tainly whether there was or not, " But there 
the men are," said he, pointing to the men 
at work on the beach, carrying hides; ''you 
can go and see." And there, sure enough, 
Samuel met his brother William! But in- 
stead of Sam^^el getting William to go home, 
they both remained on this coast. They 
afterward shipped together on a voyage to 
South America, but they returned again to 
Santa Cruz and settled here. 

Various vessels landed at Santa Cruz from 
1825 to 1830. The Frenchman, Duhaut- 
Cilly, in the Heros, touched here in 1827. 

The number of citizens of the village of 
Branciforte had increased in 1830 to about 
150. Branciforte had been transferred in 
1822 to the political jurisdiction of the 



pueblo of San Jose, as it was lacking in 
sufficient population to entitle it to an ayun- 
tamiento, or town council ; and in 1826 the 
two pueblos were transferred from the mili- 
tary jurisdiction of Monterey to that of San 
Francisco; but in 1828 Branciforte was re- 
ti-ansferred to Monterey again. It had al- 
caldes, however, during this period. Their 
names were: S. Pinto, Buelna, Borondo and 
Rodriguez. 

The citizens ef the pueblo in 1830 are said 
to have owned some 2,000 or 3,000 head of 
cattle. Heavy rains, doing much damage to 
gardens and buildings, including the church, 
in the winter of 1824-'25, are mentioned in 
the archives of Santa Cruz. The number of 
head of large stock belonging to the mission 
of Santa Cruz, in 1830, is given at a little 
over 3,000, and of sheep nearly 5,000. 

The local records of 1828 show that the 
pueblo boundaries then were described as on 
the north by Santa Cruz and the mountains; 
on the east by Santa Clara creek; on the south 
by the ranch of Amesti; and on the west by 
Monterey bay. In 1830 the population of 
the pueblos and ranches of the province of 
Alta California was estimated at about 1,700 
souls. 

in 1827 an order came from Mexico per- 
mitting foreign vessels to trade at Santa 
Cruz, San Luis Obispo, etc. Father Gil y 
Taboada was in charge of Santa Cruz mis- 
sion in 1830, being succeeded by Father J. 
Jimeno. 

The Mission of Santa Cruz, under the 
national secularization of August 17, 1833, 



178 



SANTA GBUZ COUNTY. 



and the provincial regulations of Governor 
Figueroa of August 9, 1834, was turned over 
to Lieutenant Ygnacio del Valle, as comis- 
ionado, on the 24th of the same month; and 
Juau Gonzales was mayordotno from and 
after October. This mission was at this time 
known as '* I'ueblo de Figueroa," and the In- 
dians were reported to have behaved well 
under the new system. 

Among the vessels which arrived on this 
coast in 1835, was the Pilgrim, of Boston, 
and the Alert; on the former of which was 
R. H. Dana, the author of "Two Years Be- 
fore the Mast." 

In 1833, Isaac Graham came to California 
from Hardin county, Kentucky, and settled 
near Monterey. His name is intimately as- 
sociated vvith the early history of Santa Cruz 
and vicinity. 

It is said he erected on the San Lorenzo, 
somewhere in the neighborhood of where the 
powder works are, the first sawmill in Cali- 
fornia. He went to Los Angeles in 1835, 
and in 1836 removed to Natividad, where 
(according to B. D. Wilson, of Los Angeles) 
he established a small distillery in a tule hut, 
which soon became a nuisance, owing to the 
disreputable character of those who fre- 
quented it. 

The population of gente de razon (rational 
people) of the Monterey district, including 
Branciforte and seven missions, in 1840, is 
estimated at about 1,600 souls. Of this num- 
ber 250 lived at and in the neighborhood of 
Branciforte. No reliable enumeration of the 
inhabitants of the pueblo was taken, as far as 



is known, prior to 1845, when there were 294 
Californians and Mexicans, fifty-six foreign- 
ers, and 120 neophytes. 

Mention is made of a case, wherein Na- 
than Spear, who owned the schooner Nic- 
olas, used to carry produce between Monterey 
and Santa Cruz, got into trouble growing out 
of the construction of trade regulations. The 
ayuutamiento insisted on their exclusive 
right to grant licenses, and Spear was fined 
by the alcalde, which, on appeal to Governor 
Chico, was decided against the ayuntamiento. 
Spear afterward took the Nicolas to San 
Francisco. 

In 1839, two Boston ships brought car- 
goes of goods to Monterey which paid up- 
ward of $50,000 in duties. The total reve- 
nues this year were over $80,000. The 
French frigate Artemise anchored at Santa 
Cruz in August, 1839. Her commander, La- 
place, who, expecting perhaps from reading 
La Perouse many hospitable attentions, in- 
cluding the offer of gratuitous supplies, was 
80 surprised because of the exorbitant charges 
the settlers demanded for the provisons lie 
needed, that he left without making pur- 
chases. One pretty maiden, however, greatly 
pleased him by offering to sell supplies needed 
cheaply; but she was intimidated by the 
padre from delivering the goods she had 
promised. 

The American flag had been raised at 
Santa Cruz at the time of the taking of Mon- 
terey by Commodore Jones, in 1842, but was, 
on restoration of the authority to Mexico, re- 
placed by the Mexican flag. 



SANTA CEUZ COUNTY. 



In 1842, Larkin and Belden established a 
store at Santa Cruz. During the somewhat 
troubled rule of Governor Micheltorena, 
1842-'45, that irrepressible citizen of 
Santa Cruz, Isaac Graham, offered to the 
governor the service of himself and forty 
other foreigners, neighbors of his, hoping 
thereby, presumably, to be able to get even 
with his old enemies, ex-Governors Alvarado 
and Castro, in the disturbances then thought 
to be imminent growing out of the general dis- 
satisfaction with the actions of that unpopu- 
lar governor and his " cholos "or " hatallon 
fijo," which consisted of a disreputable class 
of Mexicans, sent by the Mexican Govern- 
ment to California. 

But seven of these foreigners protested to the 
governor that they had given Graham no au- 
thority to act for them, and that their only de- 
sire was to live in quiet, without being drawn 
into trouble, by the man whom they pretty 
accurately characterized as " that seditious 
evil-doer, and promiscuous disturber of the 
peace. " Micheltorena replied that Cali- 
fornia was at peace, and that his force was 
amply sufficient; but that if the services of 
foreigners should be needed they would be 
notified in due form, through the proper 
authorities. 

Santa Cruz Mission went to ruin in 1841, 
under the administration of Bolcof, and be- 
came a part of Branciforte, the population of 
which, as we learn from a list taken in 1845, 
was about 470, of which 350 were gente de 
razon, about eighty foreigners, and forty ex- 
neophytes of the mission, the pueblo and 



mission being known in general as Santa 
Cruz, as the name of the Pueblo de Figueroa 
gradually fell into disuse. 

Justice of the Peace Bolcof complained in 
1849 that foreigners engaged in the lumber 
business refused to pay taxes. 

CHAPTER VI. 

SANTA CKUZ UNDER AMERICAN RULE. 

PANCROFT estmates the Hispano-Cali- 
fornian population in California, at the 
time of the change from Mexican to 
United States rule, at about 7,000 souls, and 
of the foreign population about the same 
number. He also thinks that between 3,000 
and 4,000 ex-neophyte Indians were lead- 
ing a somewhat civilized life, at or near 
the towns and ranches, with perhaps twice 
as many of the same class scattered amongst 
the gentiles, or wild Indians, although he 
concedes that these estimates of the Indian 
population may be only approximately cor- 
rect. 

On the American occupation, Bolcof was 
desired to continue to act as a magistrate at 
Santa Cruz, either alone or with John 
Hames, but he apparently declined, and 
Joseph L. Majors was appointed in August 
with William Thompson as second and Law- 
rence Carmichael as secretary. March 24, 
1847, Governor S. W. Kearny appointed W. 
Colton judge of admirality, and E. P. Hart- 
nell interpereter for the government two 
weeks earlier. William Blackburn was ap- 
pointed alcalde of Santa Cruz, June 21, 1847, 
by Governor Mason. 



SANTA CRUZ COUNTY- 



Of the twenty-seven oi-iginal counties into 
which California was divided by the act of 
February 18, 1850, Santa Cruz was one, al- 
though it was first named after the villa, or 
pueblo, Branciforte, but the legislature, 
April 5, 1850, changed the name to Santa 
Cruz. 

In 1868, a small portion of Santa Cruz 
county was set off to San Mateo county, in- 
cluding the town of Pescadero, on the coast 
about thirty miles from Santa Cruz, the 
county seat. 

The population of Santa Cruz county, as 
reported by the last Federal census (1890), 
was 19,270. Of this number, 18,416 were, 
whites or Caucasians, 58 negroes, 13 In- 
dians, 16 Japanese, and 767 Chinese. 

According to the same census, there were 
72,780 Asiatics in California, and of these, 
71,681 were Chinese, and 1,099 Japanese, 
and there were 12,355 Indians and 11,437 
negroes in the State. 

In the gubernatiorial election of 1890, 
Markham received in Santa Cruz county, 2,- 
029 votes. Pond, 1,666, and Bidwell 242, 
the total vote of the county being 3,937. 

By the act of the legislature of March 11, 
1891, Santa Cruz county was made a part of 
the Sixth Congressional District, and with San 
Mateo county it constitutes the Twenty-ninth 
Senatorial District, the State being divided 
into forty Senatorial Districts, and Santa 
Cruz county alone constitutes the Fifty-third 
Assembly District — the total number of as- 
sembly districts in the State being eighty. 



CHAPTEE VII. 

RESOURCES OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. 

fANTA CRUZ COUJNTY'S resources 
are extensive and varied, and probably 
intelligent and persistent labor finds 
no surer or more profitable rewards, any- 
where in the State than in Santa Cruz 
county. A local authority estimates that 
during only the last twenty years 400,000,- 
000 feet of lumber have been cut in the 
county, besides railroad ties in unlimited 
quantity, and that 87,500 acres of timber 
lands remain, equal to more than a thou- 
sand million feet of lumber, or a supply suf- 
fiient to last fifty years yet. The large 
companies engaged in the lumber business 
include the Loma Prieto Lumber Company, 
Grover & Company, Cunningham & Com- 
pany, and the Santa Cruz Company, each of 
which has one or more sawmills. 

Both the stock-raising and the dairy busi- 
ness are extensive and prosperous. 

Several million dollars are invested in the 
coiinty, in manufactures of various kinds, in- 
cluding powder, paper, lumber-mills, beet 
sugar, soap, glue cheese and butter factories; 
tanneries, and lime-kilns, etc. These indus- 
tries enjoy here many advantages, such as rail 
and water transportation facilities, abundance 
of cheap fuel, water-motor power, coal, lumber 
for building, etc., etc. Besides, the climate 
is favorable for the preservation of all per- 
ishable products. 

The Western Sugar Beet Company, near 
Watsonville, has something like half a mill- 



SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. 



181 



ion dollars invested in its plant and busi- 
ness. Its average daily capacity is about 
three hundred and fifty tons of beets, or 
forty-five tons of sugar. It runs from three 
to five months a year; employs 150 men, 
when in operation, paying $12,000 per month 
in wages, and |40,000 per month to the 
farmers for beets. The company pays four 
dollars a ton for beets yielding fourteen per 
cent of sugar, and fifty cents a ton for each 
additional per centum or degree of polariza- 
tion above fourteen. 

Thirteen hundred tons of lime rock are 
used annually for making lime, used in the 
process of making sugar. 

Pajaro valley and portions of Salinas 
valley, are admirably adapted to the growth 
of beets. The company has planted 1,200 
acres to beets, near Castroville; and a nar 
row-gauge railroad has been constructed by 
the company, thirteen miles in length, from 
their factory to lands in the Salinas valley, 
which the company has rented for the pur- 
pose of raising beets on a large scale. 

The South Coast Paper Mills, on the So- 
quel creek, were established in 1880. The 
motive power of these mills is water and 
steam; their present daily capacity is three 
and one half tons of straw wrapping paper. 
They employ about twenty-five hands; their 
expenditure annually for labor is $15,000, 
and for straw and lime $9,000 and 3,000 
respectively. 

The Corralitos Paper Mills are located 
seven miles northerly from Watsonville. 
They use steam power and have about thirty- 



five employes, and produce about five tons of 
various kinds of straw paper daily. 

The California Powder Works have an 
ordinary capacity of six or seven hundred 
kegs of powder per day; but during the past 
year they have produced as high as 900 kegs, 
of twenty-five pounds each, per day. 

The supply of lime rock in Santa Cruz 
county is practically inexhaustible; Santa 
Cruz lime is well known all over the State. 
Its quality is excellent, and exportations are 
large. Several hundred men are employed 
in this industry, which brings much money 
into the county. 

There are several tanneries, which turn out 
in the aggregate large quantities of leather, 
of excellent quality, the products of one 
establishment alone being about $160,000 
worth annually. 

Bituminous rock, of which mention has 
already been made under the head of " Min- 
eral Resources" of Santa Cruz county, is also 
a source of large revenue. It is asserted 
that since April 1, 1892, the product of this 
valuable commodity has been about 100 tons 
daily. The principal sources of supply of 
merchantable bituminous lime rock, in Cali- 
fornia, are in the counties of San Luis 
Obispo, and Santa Cruz; and in both coun- 
ties the supply is said to be practically in- 
exhaustible. 

In the Pdjaro valley hops are raised to 
some extent, and with success, the average 
yield being about one ton per acre, worth fif- 
teen cents a pound. 

Thei-e are several hundred acres of olive 



SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. 



trees growing in the county, but not yet in 
bearing. 

All kinds of fruits and berries of the tem- 
perate zone grow well in this county; and on 
the hills and highlands, apples, plums and 
cherries and apricots do remarkably well. 

VINKYABDS. 

The vineyards on the hill lands and on the 
mountain sides, in Santa Cruz, as in nearly 
every other county in the State do well, and 
with the right kind of grapes and proper 
treatment, produce wines of superior quality. 
There are about 3,000 acres of vineyard in 
the county, mostly of choice foreign varieties. 
With the rich soil and genial climate of tliese 
mountain sides, and the true wine grapes of 
France or of the south of Europe; and with 
skill and experience in treatment, there are 
almost limitless possibilities in the excellence 
of wines that can be produced in the future 
in this county. These possibilities have 
liardly, as yet, begun to be appreciated. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

COUNTY OFFICERS AND INSTITUTIONS. 

SiSIIE coi;nty of Santa Cruz constitutes a 
fiw judicial district; the present superior 
judge is Hon. F. J. Cann. County 
clerk, auditor and recorder, Ed. Martin; 
sheriff, and ex-othcio tax collector, A. J. Jen- 
nings; after the present term these two 
offices will be separate. District attorney, 
Carl E. Lindsay; treasurer, William H. Bias; 
superintendent of schools, J. W. Linscott; 



assessor, Frank Mattison; surveyor, E. D. 
Perry; coroner and public administrator, F. 
E. Morgan. Supervisors: members — W. S. 
Rodgers, San Lorenzo district; J. S. Collins, 
Branciforte district; F. D. Baldwin, Santa 
Crnz district; H. Daubenbis, Soquel district; 
J. A. Linscott, Pajaro district. Officers — W. 
S. Rodgers, chairman; Ed. Martin, clerk; 
B. R. Martin, deputy clerk. Committees^ 
auditing and and finance, Baldwin, Linscott, 
Collins. Roads and bridges: Linscott, Rod- 
gers, Daubenbis. Franchises and ordinances: 
Collins, Daubenbis, Linscott. County hospi- 
tal: Linscott, Baldwin, Rodgers. Public 
buildings: Eodgers, Collins, Baldwin. Print- 
ing: Daubenbis, Rodgers, Collins. Outside 
indigents: Baldwin, Daubenbis, Linscott. 

COUNTY VALUATIONS. 
1891. 

Total value real estate and personal prop- 
erty $11,078,253 

Total value railroads in the county 760,183 

Total $11,778,434 

Total number of acres assessed, 258,902. 

1892. 

Total value real estate aud improvenients..$10,390,878 
Total value personal property 1,490,958 

Total $11,881,836 

To which add value of railroads in the 
county, as apportioned by the State 
Board of equalization, to wit: South 

Pacific Coast Railroad Co $374,480 

Southern Pacific Railway Co. 253,127 
Pajaro Valley Railroad Co. . . 3,964 
Pullman Palace Car Co 1,937— 633,508 

Total assessed valuation $13,514,344 

Rate, $1.20 in cities and towns; rate, $1.60 outside 
cities and towns. 



SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. 



The u umber of children who attended the 
public schools of the county in 1891 was 
3,733; and the number of census children 
was 4,994. There were sixty-two school- 
houses in Santa Cruz county, and ninety-nine 
teachers; eleven of these were males and 
eighty-eight females. The average monthly 
wages paid the male teachers were $99.36; 
and to female teachers, $57.93. The county 
raised $22,475 for school purposes. The 
total expenditures of all the districts for the 
school year, including buildings, lots, etc., 
was $79,580.60. Value of lots, houses and 
furniture, $182,400; libraries, $11,050; ap- 
paratus, $6,975; total, $150,425. Number 
of volumes in libraries, 12,256. There were 
live private schools in the county, with thir- 
teen teachers and 260 pupils. 

The number of school-census children in 
Santa Cruz county for the year 1892 is 5,250. 
The number of public schools in the county, 
is 102. The average number attending the 
public schools was 2,859. 

The Pajaro Roman Catholic Orphan Asy- 
lum, for boys is under the management of 
the Franciscan fathers, and has from 250 to 
300 children under its charge. 



There are in the county four lodges of 
Odd Fellows, membership 670; two lodges 
of Master Masons, membership 225; two 
chapters of Koyal Arch Masons; one com- 
mandary of Knights Templars; two lodges 



Knights of Pythias, membership 250; three 
lodges United Workmen, membership 250; 
two lodges Knights of Honor, membership 
250; four parlors Native Sons G. W.; three 
posts G. A. li. Also other societies, as Young 
Men's Institute, Sons of Temperance, Y. M. 
C. A. and W. C. T. U. 



The first church built in the county, of 
course, was the old mission church, erected 
in the latter part of the last century. In 1856 
part of it fell. It was replaced by another 
structure, and dedicated by Bishop Amat, 
July 4, 1858. The modern brick church of 
the same denomination was completed within 
the last few years, at a cost of about $35,000. 
The first Methodist church in Santa Cruz was 
organized in 1850; the tirst Congregational 
in 1852; the first Baptist in 1855; and the 
first Episcopalian Church was organized in 
1862. 

At the present time there are about twenty 
Protestant churches in this county, includi,;g 
in addition to those named above, Presbyter- 
ian, Christian, Adventist, Universalist and 
German Methodist and Lutheran. 



The following official figures show the 
earnings, mileage and tonnage of the South 
Pacific Coast Railway (Narrow Gauge), or 
"Santa Cruz Division" of the Southern Pa- 
cific Company, for the last twelve years. 
These figures show, in condensed form, and 
very effectively, the material and economic 



SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. 



progress of the section tbrongli which said 
road runs: 

SOUTH PACIFIC COAST RAILWAY — NARROW 
GAUGE. 



YEAR. EARNINGS. 



MILEAOE. 



TONNAGE. 



....$ 400,307.74 80.86 119,396 

.... 569,968.10 77.30 172,045 

.... 663,301.50 77.30 193,112 

.... 711,426.22 80.30 196,633 

.... 743,934.56 87.60 103,317 

.... 765,484.09 88.48 318,075 

.... 847,530.64 104.48 255.999 

.... 935,235.02 104.48 275,336 

.... 1,093,805.47 104.48 358,080 

.... 1,078.344.76 104.48 349,185 

.... 1,10.5,.543.45 104.48 381,335 

.... 1,107,773.87 104.48 373,910 

MAIN LINE. 

San Francisco to Santa Cruz (incl. ferries) 80.60 miles 

BRANCHES. 

Alameda Junction to 14th St., Oakland 180 miles 

Newark to Centerville 300 " 

Campbell's to New Almaden 960 " 

Felton to Boulder Creek 730 

Junction South Big Trees to Old Felton... 170 " 

10,400 " 
In August, 1892, steps were taken looking 
toward the changing of the Pacitic avenue 
line from a horse-car line to an electro-motive- 
power line, to be consolidated with the Santa 
Cruz, Garfield park and Capitola Electric 
Street Railway Company's line. The Pacific 
avenue road runs from the Pope House to 
the beach, and is the pioneer street railroad 
of Santa Cruz. A consolidation of the street 
railroads of the city under one management 
would be advantageous to both tlie owners 
and the public. 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE CITY OF SANTA CEUZ. 

fANTA CRUZ, the county-seat and prin- 
cipal city of the county, was incorporated 
as a town in 1866, with a board of 
trustees. The same year Congress granted 
or relinquished the misson lands to the town, 
thus making the title of the lands of the 
town, or of the city as its successor, perfect. 
Santa Cruz was incorporated as a city, with 
mayor and common council, in March. 1876. 
According to the Federal census, the pop- 
ulation of the city of Santa Cruz was in 1880, 
3,988; and in 1880, 5,596. The present pop- 
ulation, including East Santa Cruz, which is 
considered as a part of the city, although not 
inside the corporate limits, is estimated at 
7,500. 

The city owns its water, gas and electric- 
light works, as every city ought. Its water 
works cost about $300,000, for which bonds 
were voted in 1888. The water is brought 
from the mountains twelve miles. The sys- 
tem includes a reservoir near and above the 
city, with a capacity of 65,000,000 gallons. 
This is supplied by a ten-mile line of four- 
teen inch pipe. The mains consist of one 
mile of twelve inch pipe, three and one-half 
miles of six-inch, and fourteen miles of 
four-inch pipe. The pressure on the street 
mains is one hundred pounds to the square 
inch. So the city of Santa Cruz has no paid 
fire department and needs none. Neither 
has it any need for fire engines. 



SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. 



185 



The total loss by fire in 1891 is said not 
to have exceeded $1,400. 

The water rates are: A family of two per- 
sons pays forty cents per month, and this 
covers all nses for domestic purposes, includ- 
ing baths, irrigation, etc. All additional 
persons over two are charged ten cents each 
per month. 

The plant of the electric-light works has 
two dynamos, operated by a Corliss engine of 
300-horse power, furnishing 1,500 lights. 

There are three street railway lines in 
Santa Cruz, one of which is run by elec- 
tricity. 

The officers of the city of Santa Cruz for 
1892 are: William T. Jeter, mayor; F. W. 
Lucas, J. H. Bailey, F. J. Hoffman, E. G. 
Greene, councihnen; O. J. Lincoln, city 
clerk and ex officio superintendent of city 
water-works; C. E. Williams, treasurer and 
collector; C. L. Piola, engineer; Matt. 
Rawle, chief of police. 

Many people of culture, as well of wealth, 
have recently come to Santa Cruz and made 
themselves homes; for in trutii the city has 
many attractions as a place of residence. Its 
climate is so equable and healthful, and every 
way so delightful, and the city is so easily 
accessible, either by water or by land, its 
facilities for summer sea-bathing are so per- 
fect, that it is not strange that eclectic people, 
who have once experienced the many charms 
of Sauta Cruz, are enamored of the place and 
want to see more of it, or to make it their 
permanent place of abode. No wonder that 



the old friars looked upon it with lono-ino- 
eyes a hundred years ago. 

There are two commercial and two savings 
banks in the city of Santa Cruz, namely: 

The Bank of Santa Cruz County, which 
was organized in August, 1875, has a capital, 
of 1200,000; paid-up capital, $80,000; reserve 
fund and undivided profits, $61,208. Officers: 
President, J. H. Logan; vice-president, P. B. 
Fagen; cashier, P. G. Menefee; secretary, 
Clarence E. Fagen. Directors: J. H. Logan, 
J. D. Phelan, P. B. Fagen, William T. Jeter, 
Louis Schwartz, B. F. Porter, S. F. Grover. 

The Santa Cruz Bank of Savings and Loan, 
was organized March, 1870, under the same 
management as the above. Paid-up capital, 
150,000; reserve fund and undivided profits, 
$14,022.14. 

City Bank. — Officers: L. K. Baldwin, presi- 
dent; F. A. Hihn, vice-president; W. D. 
Haslam, cashier and secretary. Directors: 
L. K. Baldwin, F. A. Hihn, Jackson Sylvar, 
Alexander Russell, L L. Thurber, M. A. 
Buckley, A. H. Wilbur. 

Under the same management the City 
Savings Bank is conducted. 

CONDENSED RECORD OF SANTA CRUZ WEATHER 

IN 1891. 

Compiled from the official daily observa- 
tions furnished the Signal Service by W. R. 
Springer. 

Jan. Feb. Mar. April May June 

Highest barometer 30.37 30.39 30.20 30.23 30.10 30.14 

Lowest barometer 29-86 39.30 39.90 29.73 ^9.79 29.80 

Mean barometer 30.1629.9730.66 30.045 39.99 29.937 

Range for month 61 1.19 -30 .48 .31 .34 

Greatest daily variation 18 .52 .29 .20 .11 ,11 



SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. 



Jan. Feb. Msr. April May June 

Least daily variation no .00 .00 .no .00 .00 

HiglieBt temperature 68° 63° 72» 78° V3» 92° 

Lowest temperature 28° 30° 34° 36° 43° 42° 

Mean monthly temperature 49.35° 47.1° 55.4° 54.4° 58° 62.3° 

■Monthly variation of temperature 40° 30° 36° 42° 31° 50° 

Greatest daily variation 29° 26° 29° 35° 28° 38° 

Least daily variation 13° 5° .5° 11° 9° 14° 

Coldest day of month 41.5° 44.75° 48° 48.5° 56° .57° 

Hottest day of month 53° .58= 60° 61° 62.5° 70° 

Dampest day 78% 86a; 88« 78!S 82s(78;< 

Drieatday S.'W 44« 39* 59S SSH 48« 

Mean humidity 62.S% 66.5« 65« 61% 69.K64.2« 

Number cloudy days 2 10 7 7 6 1 

Partial cloudy days 11 11 10 ;9 19 4 

Clear days IS 7 14 14 6 35 

Eainfall . 77 10.68 1.36 2.57 .61 .10 

July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. 

Highest barometer 30.08 30.10 30.12 30.22 30.37 30.59 

Lowest barometer 29.84 29.87 29.83 29.84 30.05 29.77 

Mean barometer 29.946 29.98 30.13 30.82 30.15 30.26 

Range for month 24 .2:i .33 .38 .32 .82 

Greatest daily variation 10 .09 .10 .17 .17 .31 

Least daily variation 00 .00 .00 .00 .00. .02 

Highest temperature 92° 1TO° 93° 89° 80° 69° 

Lowest temperature 48° 46° 39° 38° 31° 25° 

Mean monthly temperature.... 44° 64.8° 61.80° 58.9° 54.7° 48° 
Monthly variation of temperature 44° 54° 53° 51° 49° 44° 

Greatest daily variation 37° 46° 43° 42° 41° 41° 

Least daily variation 14° 15° 19° 8° 9° 10° 

Coldest day of month. 59° 59° 55° 53° 49° 38° 

Hottest day of month 71° 70° 68° 64° 63° 56° 

Dampest day SS% 76i 79« Si% Sit tit 

Driestday 50« 52« 55« 29« 43« 40« 

Mean humidity 6.8S 66.2S 70.7* M% 62S 60« 

Number cloudy days 10 1 4 4 13 

Partial cloudy days 13 13 6 8 15 15 

Cleardays 17 19 23 19 11 4 

Rainfall 00 .00 .70 .45 .58 7.60 

CHAPTER X. 

OTHER TOWNS — CONCLUSION. 

J^JEATSONVILLE, now the second town 
WKk ^" importance in the coiintj, was laid 

\-^i out in 1852 by J. H. Watson, the 
pioneer, after whom it was named, and by D. 
S. Gregory. The population of Watson ville, 
in 1880, was about 1,800, and iii 1890 it was 



reported by the census at 2,149. In 1892 it 
probably is not less than 2,500, probably more. 
It is locatad at the junction of the Pajaro 
and Corralitos streams, about twenty miles 
east of the county-seat. It was incorporated 
in 1868. Its public schools, including a high 
school, are excellent. The churches, benevo- 
lent societies, etc., are well represented. Wat- 
sonville is on the Sontiiern f'acilic railway 
line, Santa Cruz division, and is the terminus 
of the Pajaro Valley or Moro Cojo narrow 
gauge railroad, and is in the midst of a very 
fertile region. Its raiiroail facilities, its near- 
ness to tide-water, and its important and 
growing manufacturing interests, make it 
already an active business center, and such it 
must continue to be in the future. The town 
supports three newspapers. It is supplied 
with abundance of excellent water, brought 
in pipes some eigiit miles, from Corralitos 
creek, to two reservoirs two miles from town, 
which hold 2,500,000 gallons. At the point 
of division the pipe is 290 feet above the 
town, at the reservoir, ninety feet. Size of 
pipe above reservoir is Hfteeu inches, and 
below, eight inches. The water- works, which 
were constructed in 1878, and the electric- 
light works, which supply the town with 
light, are owned by a private company. 

Felton and Boulder creek are thriving towns 
north of Santa Cruz, on the San Lorenzo 
river, and stations on the narrow-gauge rail- 
road. The population of Felton in 1890 was 
259, and of Boulder, 489. 

Capitola, four miles southeast of Santa 
Cruz, and Aptos, eight miles, both fronting 



SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. 



187 



on the bay of Monterey, are delightful and 
prosperous seaside resorts. 

Aptos is located near the mouth of the creek 
of the same name. In fact, there are many 
points in Santa Cruz county which have be- 
come, in late years, very popular as summer 
resorts. Annual encampments of the Na- 
tional Guard of California are held at the city 
of Santa Cruz. 

A local journal gives the following graphic 
and suggestive epitome of attractions east 
and west of Santa Cruz: 

ALONG THE SHORE LINE. 

Santa Ckhz Westward — West Cliff Drive 
—From Santa Cruz Beach to Moore's Beach, 
two and half miles. 

Attractions — Lighthouse at northern 
headland of Monterey bay; fine museum of 
curios; Phelan park; coast line of Pacific 
ocean, with sculptured cliffs and dashing 
surf Vue de I'eau, terminus on cliff of 
electric railway; natural bridges and wonder- 
ful natural aquaria at Moore's beach, with 
mussel, clam and abalone gathering, and 
ample space for picnics and camp fires — Gar- 
field park and Tabernacle; the State resort 
of Christian or Campbellite Church one, and 
a half miles. 

Coast Road — Extension of mission street 
to county line and from there to Pescadero, a 
stage coach line of thirty-five miles from 
Santa Cruz. 

Attractions — Coast Road; creameries; 
dairy ranches; e.xceptionally fine natural 
bridge on ocean shore of Wilder's ranch, six 



miles; a succession of fine creeks, taking 
their rise in the Santa Cruz mountains and 
emptying into the Pacific ocean, teeming with 
spotted and salmon trout; magnificent groves 
of laurel with century-old trees, under which 
are the finest camping grounds in the world, 
a paradise for the sportsman, the health and 
pleasure seeker; Pescadero is noted for its 
unique pebble beach and fine fishing. 

Santa Cruz Eastward — East Cliff Drive 
— Already finished some two miles along the 
bay coast and soon to be continued to Capi- 
tola, five miles. 

Attractions — Skirting the San Lorenzo 
river and the bay shore, with constantly 
changing panorama of magnificent mountain 
foot-hill, and marine views; numerous beau- 
tiful suburbs, East Cliff; Seabright; a collect- 
ion of picturesque summer cottages, with fine 
bathing beach; Seabright park; Twin lakes, 
beautiful resort of State Baptist association 
situated between Lake Seabright and Lake 
Schwan and possessing fine beaches; still and 
surf bathing, station on broad-gauge road, 
pretty church, numerous cottages, hotel, 
walks and drives, one mile from Santa Cruz, 
with access by steam and horse cars; Santa 
Maria del Mar, tine and extensive grounds of 
seaside resort of the Catholic Ladies' Aid 
Society, magnificently laid out in broad 
streets and fine lots, large hotel nearly fin- 
ished; thousands of trees and shrubs planted 
the past year, grand views, fine beach for 
bathing and driving, wonderful cliff sculpt- 
ure; Corcoran's lagoon, picturesque sheet of 
salt water, etc.; constant succession of beaches, 



1H8 



SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. 



rocky points, where surf fisbing is good, 
mussel, claiii and abalone gathering, fine 
ranches, cultivated to the water's edge; Fair- 
view; mouth of Soquel creek; Capitola, pop- 
ular bathing resort, with large summer pop- 
ulation, hotels, cottages and bathing houses, 
grove, railway station, post oifice, beautiful 
surrounding country, wharf for vessels and 
steamers. 

Aptos — Pictui-esque village; magnificent 
groves of live-oaks, growing almost to water's 
edge; wharf, romantic walks, rustic-dance 
pavilion and admirable picnic grounds, rail- 
way station, schools, hotels, express, postof- 
fice, etc. 

Camp Goodall — Mouth of Pajaro river, 
which is the boundary between Santa Cruz 
and Monterey counties; broad beach; race 
and driving track. 

THE FOOTHILL SLOPE. 

Between the foot of the Santa Cruz range 
and the bay of Monterey there lies a belt of 
rolling foot-hill land, sloping toward the bay 
in which there are miles of the most product- 
ive land, through wiiich no less than thirty' 
living streams find their way oceanward, and 
where the mountain canons spread out into 
broad valleys teeming with fruits and flowers 
grains and vegetables of phenomenal size, 
magnificent quality and imment-e yields. 

In Father Crespi's diary of the Portala 
expedition in 1769, mention is made of the 
redwood trees, which the party saw on the 
Santa Cruz mountains. He says "these trees 
are imlike anything seen in Spain ;" and be- 



cause of their color, they named them "palo 
Colorado." 

The value of the inexhaustible forests of 
these trees in California is literally beyond 
computation. Although considerable inroads 
have been made on the redwoods of the Santa 
Cruz mountains, yet they are by no means 
exhausted. As a source of revenue to the 
county, they are better than a placer gold 
mine, because not so easily worked out. 

Santa Cruz lighthouse or Point Santa 
Cruz, 600 feet from the extremity of Bluff 
Point at the entrance of Santa Cruz harbor, 
was established in 1869. It is nineteen and 
three-quarter miles from Point I'inos. This 
light is a fixed red, of the fifth order, and is 
visible eight and one-half nautical miles. The 
light is sixty-nine feet above sea level. 

Santa Cruz has excellent railroad facilities, 
being connected with San Francisco and in- 
termediate towns by means of the two 
divisions of the Southern Pacific Company, 
the broad-gauge and tho narrow-gauge lines. 
The steameis of the Pacific Coast Steamship 
Company stop regularly at Santa Cruz. 

The contrast between the Santa Cruz of to- 
day, and the Santa Cruz of the mission era is 
striking. Then, there were comparatively 
few Europeans or "people of reason," as the 
Spaniards so aptly expressed it, living at Santa 
Cruz, or in Alta California, though many 
bands of Indians, both tame and wild, were to 
be seen. The mission was the center of 
activity, with the little villa (village) of 
Branciforte as a side show. Nature was wild, 
as it had been for unknown centuries, with 



SANTA CBVZ COUNTY. 



189 



only very small areas in the immediate vicin- 
age of the mission subject to cultivation. 
Now, civilization, with all the word implies, 
with its wealth of homes and schools, and 
churches, and industries with their ware- 
houses and wharves and manufactories and 
railways, and endless other institutions, are 
visible on every side, seeming almost to have 
changed the very face of Nature, and yet 
we know that nature was substantially the 
same, in this goodly region known as Santa 



Cruz, then as now. Then, the fertile soil and 
other natural resources, including the blessed 
climate (for its climate is one of its natural 
resources), were what they are now. But it 
is not necessary to enlarge on this wondrous 
change. All that is required is to suggest 
the outlines of the contrasted eras, and the 
imaginations of the present and future deni- 
zens of Santa Cruz can readily fill in the 
details of the picture. 




SAN MATEO SOUNTY. 



CHAPTER I. 

PHYSICAL FEATUEES — TOPOGRAPHY, ETC. 

This county is named after Saint Matthew 
and occupies nearly the entire peninsula 
which separates San Francisco bay from the 
Pacific ocean. San Mateo county is bounded 
on the north by the city and county of San 
Francisco, on the east by the San Francisco 
bay and Santa Clara county, on the south by 
Santa Cruz county and on the west by the 
Pacific ocean. It has an area of about 300,- 
000 acres. It fronts si.xty-five miles on the 
ocean and thirty-five miles on San Francisco 
bay. 

The Sierra Morena, or northern portion of 
the Santa Cruz mountains, traverses this coun- 
ty throughout its entire length. The trend 
of these mountains is parallel to the sea coast, 
and of an average height of 1,500 feet, 
reaching at some points to twice that height. 
Their precipitous sides are in many places 
broken by deep canons down which water 
flows the year round, and from which the city 
of San Francisco obtains her water supply. 
The south half of the Sierra Morena is tim- 
bered with redwood, oak, and manzanita. 
Upon the sea coast, and along the shore of the 
San Francisco bay is a strip of level farming 



country, the greater portion of which is cov- 
ered with rich alluvium, the soil of the entire 
county being exceedingly fertile. 



MINERALOGY. 



The minerals of this county, as far as inves- 
tigation has shown, consist of gold, silver, 
petroleum, coal, quicksilver, lime and build- 
ing stone. Of these petroleum and building 
stone are, at present, alone turned to account. 

Gold and Silver. — Traces of gold have been 
discovered in various creeks and gulches, es- 
pecially near Redwood City, prospects there 
having been struck, which yielded several 
colors to the pan. Placer raining has, at in- 
tervals, been carried on at several points along 
the sea-shore with varied success. A bed of 
black sand on the beach, about one mile from 
Amesport landing, has been worked with only 
partial success. 

Petroleum. — Petroleum occurs at several 
points in the Tunitas and Purisima canons, 
yielding from one to three barrels for each 
well per day by pumping when first bored 
but dwindling down to one or one and a half 
barrels per day, soon after boring. One fea- 
ture of the wells is that no "shells" are en- 
countered before striking the oil. These 
"shells," as the oil men call them, are hard 



SAN MATEO G0UNT7. 



silicious strata, usually met with immediately 
above the strata containing the oil. The bi- 
tuminous series of rocks crop out along the 
west side of San Mateo county. Thisasphal- 
tum, so common in many parts of the Coast 
Range, is no doubt produced from the pe- 
troleum bj the corporation of the lighter 
naphthas, and a partial oxidation of the vis- 
cous residue under the influence of air and 
wind. 

Limestone is found six miles from San Ma- 
teo on the ranch of the Spring Yalley Water 
Company, at the headwaters of San Mateo 
creek, where lime was formerly burned. 

Building Stone. — Sandstone is quarried 
about a mile southwest of Redwood City. 
This has been used in the construction of the 
railroad depot at San Carlos and for other 
local purposes. A light-colored sandstone 
crops out about two and a half miles north of 
Halfmoon bay, which has been used in the 
library building at San Mateo; also for foun- 
dations at Halfmoon bay. It is a fair quarry 
of free stone, with a dip a trifle east of south, 
and at an angle of 50°. A quarry of meta- 
morphosed sandstone is now open at Coleman 
and varies from a yellowish brown to a gray- 
blue color and appears to be an excellent 
building material, splitting readily in 'all di- 
rections and working smooth. 

A rock, much resembling the bluish variety 
of the Coleman sandstone, is being used by 
the Spring Valley Water Company of San 
Francisco, in the dam they are constructino- 
about five miles west of San Mateo. This 



company has dammed the San Mateo Creek, 
in order to form a lake of the caiiada. 

It may be of interest to state in this con- 
nection, that by the construction of a dam, 
the Canada Raimundo will, in the course of 
time, be converted into a great storage lake, 
having a capacity of upward of 30,000,000,- 
000 thirty billion gallons of water. 

The present water supply of San Francisco 
is derived chiefly from the Pilarcitos, the San 
Andres and upper Crystal Springs lakes, the 
water of which is conveyed in pipes, a dis- 
tance of twelve miles to that city. It is also 
the intention of the Spring Valley Water 
Company to connect the San Francisquito 
creek, with the before- mentioned large storage 
lake by means of a tunnel, extending there- 
from to the town of Searsville, where another 
dam is to be built, for the purpose of making 
ft second storage reservoir to receive all excess 
of water during times of heavy rain fall. 

The rock used in the first-mentioned dam, 
now under construction, is a bluish meta- 
morphosed stone, and is quarried from the 
immediate vicinity. It contains shales and 
sandstones, between which small veins of clay 
and coal have been found, the latter having 
at times shown a width of two feet, although 
it has mostly appeared in a thin seam broken 
and mixed with clay. The dam when finished 
will be about 170 feet high, 172 feet wide, at 
its base, tapering to a width of twenty-five 
feet at the top, and having a water slope of 
one vertical to four horizontal. 



193 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



CHAPTER II. 



EARLY HISTOET. 



tLTHOUGH the ocean coast, of what is 
now known as San Mateo connty, was 
doubtless seen by the early navigators. 
Probably the first Europeans to set foot on its 
soil, were the Portala party, which in seeking 
and missing Monterey bay pursued their jour- 
ney northward and passed np the peninsula to 
its terminus, in the month of October, 1769; 
and in the early part of November of the 
same year some of the soldiers of the party 
climbed the hills while hunting for deer, and 
saw for the first time the magnificent inland 
sea, since known to the world as the bay of 
San Francisco. 

The subsequent history of San Mateo, down 
to the American conquest of California, is 
somewhat meager. The Californians who had 
received land grants within the present limits 
of the county, pastured their stock on the 
same. The county was created in 1856. One 
of the first towns started was Belmont, which 
was made the county seat. Later, Redwood 
City becarae,and still remains, the county-seat. 
The latter place was laid out in 1854. The 
growth of the county was due to a con- 
siderable extent, first, to its nearness to San 
Francisco, and second, to the inexhaustible 
wealth of its redwood forests. The town of 
San Mateo was founded as a railway station 
in 1863. 

THE PASTORAL AGE. 

In the pastoral age of California, where 



hides and tallow were its chief exports, the 
country around the bay was the great center 
of traflic. Vast herds were pastured on the 
ranches bordering on the bay, in wild oats 
and clover of luxuriant growth, with nothing 
to disturb them except the riata and brand- 
ing iron of the vaquero, or an occasional 
attack of a ferocious grizzly bear. 

SPANISH GRANTS. 

The land lying on the bay was, early in 
the history of the country, granted to Mexican 
citizens, in large tracts, for grazing purposes, 
under the very liberal land policy of the 
Mexican Government. These grants in- 
cluded " Burri Burri," "San Mateo," from 
which the county was named, " Las Pulgas," 
on part of which Redwood City is located, 
and " Corte Madera." These four ranches 
embrace about 70,000 acres, which is very 
nearly the extent of the level and foot-hill 
land lying along the shore of the bay of San 
Francisco, within San Mateo County. 

On the ocean side of the Sierra Morena 
mountains are the " Corral de Tierra," 
" San Pedro," " Miramontez," " Canada 
Verde," " San Gregorio," " Pescadero," 
" Buttano " and " New Year's Point " 
ranches. 

Much of the coast country is now under 
cultivation, or is used for dairy farms. Of 
the mountain land, at least one-third is till- 
able, and the remainder is suitable for grazing, 
or is even more valuable for its timber, which 
includes most of the useful varieties common 
to California. Besides this, there are other 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



valleys of importance, among them the 
" Canada Kayraundo,'' upper " San Gregorio" 
and " Fomponio," containing considerable 
areas of tillable land. 

It was the custom in the old Spanish or 
Mexican times to transport the hides from 
the ranchos, in huge wooden-wheel vans, to 
the heads of the sloughs running inland from 
the bay. When this could not be done, a 
vaquero would select a large hide, pile half a 
dozen or more other hides on it, attach one 
end of his riata to it, and the other to the 
pommel of his saddle, and drag the load over 
the dry grass to waiting boats at the head of 
the slough. 

In this way, the estuary, upon which Red- 
wood City is now built, was first used for 
traffic. The hide business ceased on the 
coming of the Americans, and the estuary of 
the Fulgas rancho lost its primitive com- 
merce, and for a long time the ebb and flow 
of the tides alone disturbed the quiet of its 
iwZe-sheltered shore. 

SAN MATEO UNDER AMERICAN RULE. 

In 1848, and the greater part of 1849, all 
the freight by water, for this section, was 
landed at the San Francisquito creek estuary. 
A road led from there to the Coppinger and 
other lumber camps in the redwoods on the 
mountains. The re-discovery and utilization 
of the redwood estuary was the result of an 
opportune error, and forms an episode in the 
history of San Mateo county of sufficient 
interest to entitle it to reproduction here, in 
detail. 



A PIONEER S REMINISCENCES. 

Dr. R. O. Tripp, still an honored citizen 
of San Mateo county, arrived in San Fran- 
cisco in May, 1849, from New York, having 
crossed Mexico from Vera Cruz to Tepic, 
and by sailing vessel from San Bias. After 
practicing his profession as a dentist awhile 
in San Francisco, charging four dollars for 
extracting a tooth, and eight dollars for 
plugging one, while his friend and com- 
petitor. Dr. Blankeman, had the face to 
charge a man six ounces of gold for drawing 
six teeth, he set out for the mines, but was 
" shipwrecked " in Suisun bay, and was com- 
pelled '♦ to wade ashore," whereby he took 
cold, and on his return to San Francisco 
found himself quite ill. About this time he 
met Farkhurst and Ellis, of San Mateo, who 
had leased the right to cut timber on widow 
Coppinger's rancho, el Corte Madera; and on 
their advice he concluded to go down there 
and recuperate. He went from the city to 
the mission in a sail boat, landing in Mission 
slough near the present site of the sugar 
refinery. It was easier to go that way than 
over the sand-hills. He walked as far as 
el Puerto Suelo, now Ocean View, and sat 
down to rest. There was, at that time, no 
habitation of any kind in sight. A man 
passing with a team, offered to take him as 
far as the Sanchez rancho, now Millbrae, 
where the first house was encountered after 
leaving the mission. The teamster charged 
the doctor five dollars for the ride, and, after 
staying all night at the Sanchez house, offered 



194 



SAN MATEO COUNTT. 



to take him to the redwoods for ten dollars. 
They proceeded down the road to San Mateo, 
atid crossed the creek at the old mission 
building, which was kept as a hotel by 
Nicholas de Peyster, and was called the 
" Half- Way House." From there they went 
on to San Francisquito creek, and up that 
creek to the Mountain Home ranch, where 
he staid a week as the guest of the owner, 
Andrews, who had just sold a large crop of 
onions at $16 an arroha, — twenty-five pounds, 
equal to sixty-four dollars a hundred; and 
who, from the proceeds, had supplied himself 
with champagne and other luxuries, not 
common then nor since in the redwoods. 
From there the doctor went to the camp of 
Parkhurst and Ellis, who had returned from 
San Francisco, and had commenced making 
shingles. As Ellis drank hard, Parkhurst 
bought him out and invited Tripp to become 
his partner, which he did January 1, 1850. 
And here we come to the incident which 
reopened the Redwood estuary, and gave it 
the name it now bears. 



RAFTING TIMBER. 



Parkhurst and Tripp entered into a contract 
with some San Francisco carpenters to get 
out square timber and piles, and float them 
with the tide to San Francisco. An old 
North river boatman was to manage rafting 
the lumber down the bay to the city. The 
San Francisco partners, Lloyd, Rider and 
Hayward, left San Francisco in a small boat 
in February, 1850, for a visit to the red- 
woods. They were directed to steer for the 



usual landing place for the San Mateo red- 
woods, at San Francisquito creek. By acci- 
dent they entered the Redwoods estuary, 
instead, sailed up as far they could go, tied 
their boat to an oak tree, on what was after- 
ward the Hawes farm, and struck out for the 
foot-hills. From an elevation they saw the 
smoke of the camp, and made for it. On 
questioning them, Mr. Tripp soon concluded 
that they had not come by the San Francis- 
quito creek embarcadero. The next day he 
went with them, and found that the new 
route, which they had drifted into, was the 
nearest and best route from their camp. They 
set about building a road to it, and hauled 
out their square lumber and pile-logs that 
way that season. They launched these logs 
from the bank, where Chamberlain's store 
now stands. Their first raft contained 250 
pieces of timber in six sections. They were 
shipped when the winds were highest, and 
three sections got away from them near Goat 
island, and were lost. They got the other 
three sections to the wharf, with the aid of a 
tug. They realized $82 per thousand for the 
square lumber, and for tiie piles eigiity-two 
and a half cents a running foot. They hauled 
lumber to the landing all summer; but they 
did no more rafting till the high winds had 
subsided; after that they got the logs into 
San Francisco without loss. During the 
summer they received all their supplies by 
way of Redwood. And these were the first 
shipments to and from what is now Redwood 
City. They had all the hard ground from 
Chamberlain's store to the tannery crowded 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



with lumber, which was hauled during the 
suiiiiner and shipped that fall. It was this 
redwood timber, strewn along the shore 
wherever hard ground was found, that gave the 
place the name of " Redwood Slough," after- 
ward changed to Redwood City. Dr. Tripp says 
that he and his partner closed out for that 
year, and found that they had done fairly 
well, after having paid Andrews and South- 
ard $1,300 stumpage. 

They received their first load of supplies 
by teams from San Francisco; and two loads 
came by way of San Francisquito creek; 
the latter costing them $75 a load, freight 
from the embarcadero to their camp. 

In the summer of 1850, when one of the 
loads of supplies arrived in a flat-bottomed 
boat at the slough, Dr. Tripp says he sent 
for the freight, but the man could not find 
either the slough or the freight, and he him- 
self had to go down after it, but he had to 
pay the man $25 extra for the day he had 
lost in looking for it. But as he was out of 
provisions, he had to have them at any cost. 
They had a scow built that summer, and after 
that received all their supplies that way. 

A man named William Smith built the 
first house on the slough. Charles Living- 
ston started the first store just back of Cham- 
berlain's, in the old building used as a ware- 
house. This was in 1851. Smith built the 
brick warehouse now used by Hanson, and 
lived in a house opposite. He married one 
of the Voiget girls. 

Dr. Tripp was in fact the first regular 
merchant in the county. lie left the lum- 



ber camp and built where he now lives, in 
1851, and commenced merchandising. Park- 
hurst, who had been Tripp's partner, went to 
San Francisco, where he obtained a place in a 
hardware store. While there, he would 
buy goods for his old partner, and have them 
shipped to him. 

One day, in the fall of 1851, Dr. Tripp 
says a man came to his store and told him 
that he, Tripp, was running for supervisor, 
and wanted to know what his politics were; 
to which he replied that he had voted lor 
General Taylor. The election was held at 
the Mountain House ranch. Some voters 
scratched his name, but he says he took no 
interest in the matter, and had almost for- 
gotten the election when he received a letter 
requesting him to meet with the San Fran- 
cisco supervisor, San Mateo being then a 
part of San Francisco county. After that 
he says he rode up to the city every Sunday 
and met with the board on Mondays. 

Dr. Tripp and his partner, for a considera- 
ble time, had the only store between the 
Mission Dolores and Santa Clara. They 
had trade from San Mateo, Halfmoon bay, 
and Pescadero. The coast trade was carried 
on pack-mules. The stock and outfit for the 
first store started in Pescadero was supplied 
by this firm. 

Dr. Tripp is fairly entitled to the distinc- 
tion of being the first merchant and the first 
elected public oflBcer in San Mateo county, 
and perhaps the only merchant in this State 
continually in business from 1850 down to 
he present date, occupying the same store. 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



witli some improvements, in which he com- 
menced his mercantile life forty years ago. 

ADTENTUKES OF OTHER PIONEERS. 

Among other early settlers of the penin- 
sula now known as San Mateo county, were 
William Holder, Charles Ayres, and James 
Weeks, who gave some very interesting rem- 
iniscences to a local journal, from which a 
few extracts are here given : 

William Holder and William Cottam 
came here in 1850, and first settled at tlie 
place where Belmont is now located. In 
1851 they put up a small building on the 
bank of the creek, and opened what was then 
called a fonda, where refreshments were 
offered for sale. The same year they bought 
the long boat of a vessel, which they con- 
verted into a sloop of about eighty tons' 
burthen, and engaged in carrying freight up 
and down the creek, and also in carrying 
fire- wood to San Francisco. About this time 
Charles Davidson appeared on the creek with 
the sloop Plumas of twenty tons' capacity; 
and Dennis Martin was running a sawmill 
by water power near Searsville. In 1852, 
Peter Becker brought the Julia on the creek, 
which some years after Charles Hanson and 
Peter Brown bought. A Mr. Shaw started 
the first store here in 1851. Of those who 
were prominent here from 1850 to 1854, was 
Captain Yoiget, who had been here buying 
hides as early as 1836. In 1850 he lived on 
what is now the Polhemus place. Holder 
says Captain Voiget showed him a sketch in 



water colors of this section, drawn when he 
was here in 1836. 

W. C. R. Smith married a daughter of 
Captain Voiget. The first grand ball was 
given in his house on the 1st of January, 
1854. In 1855, or soon after, Charles Liv- 
ngston put up a brick store, where Price's 
hotel is. Having sold out to Langley, Price 
afterward bought out the latter, and took 
down the brick store to make room for his 
hotel. 

Charles Ayres came in 1852, and he and 
J. G. Pritchard, in the spring of that year, 
bought eighty acres of what is now known 
as the Selby tract, and engaged in farming 
with poor success, and so they came to Eed- 
wood City and put up a building for a bakery, 
part of which is still used as an ofiice of the 
Tremont House. 

Mr. Ayres says he paid as high as $47 a 
barrel for flour while he was running the 
confectionery and bakery. In 1855 they 
bought more ground and built, and engaged 
regularly in the hotel business. 

Mr. Ayres says the first hotel which was 
opened, in April, 1853, in Redwood City, was 
built by a man named Harris. It was the 
original American Hotel, and stood where 
the Wahl building now is. The successive 
owners of this hotel were: Hancock, Thur- 
ber, Aldrich and Raymond. It was burned 
down in 1864. It was rebuilt in 1866, by 
Merrill, and again burned in 1878, but was 
not rebuilt. 

The building now owned by Glaus Hadler, 
known as the Eureka corner, was opened as a 



8JN MATEO COUNTT. 



hotel in 1854. It was built by Harry Morse, 
an early sheriff of Alameda connty, but now 
the head of the well-known "Harry Morse 
Detective Bureau," and Daniel Balch, after- 
ward a noted assayer on the Comstock. 

It was kept as a hotel by Ayres & Pritch- 
ard for awhile, and after various changes 
came into the possession of its present owner 
and into its present uses. 

CHAPTER III. 

THE REDWOOD FORESTS. 

fNE of the first things which attracted 
the attention of Americans and other 
foreigners on their arrival in central or 
northern California, when the country was 
under Mexican rule, was the redwood forests 
of the coast counties; and there many of the 
first comers to the province commenced their 
California life. 

This is especially true of San Mateo 
county. It is believed that the first foreign 
settler in the county (though Joseph Chap- 
man, who came in 1818, was the first in the 
county) was one William Smith, known at 
the time as "Bill, the sawyer." The late 
James Pease claimed to have deserted from 
a Hudson Bay Company's ship, the Nereid, 
in Yerba Buena, in 1823 or 1824, and that 
he wandered into the redwoods near Wood- 
side, where he found Smith, who was married 
at the time, and lived in a hut with his wife 
and baby, near where John Coppinger after- 
ward built his residence. He was the only 
foreigner thei-e, and liad already dug a saw 



pit, felled some trees, cut them into proper 
lengths, and had sawed some lumber, with 
much difficulty. He had to get his Indian 
help from the missions. The arrival of Pease 
was a fortunate event for "Bill, the sawyer," 
who at once engaged the newcomer as an 
assistant. They cut timber for a number of 
years with whipsaws, and supplied the Cali- 
fornians with such timber as they needed in 
the adobe houses, which were being built 
then on the ranchos of that region. 

They worked at this business alone for 
several years. One day, however, they were 
joined by George Ferguson, who had de- 
serted from a ship at Sausalito, and who, after 
many adventures, arrived in the redwoods. 
Ferguson took up a claim near Smith and 
Pease, and was soon after joined by a fellow- 
seaman named James Weeks. From that 
time on others came, but did not remain per- 
manently, until the arrival of John Coppin- 
ger, a deserter from the British navy, in 1834 
or 1835. He set about felling trees and 
making lumber in a systematic manner, pro- 
curing the aid of Californians, Indians, and 
of foreigners, whenever they could be- found. 
James Weeks was first employed by " Bill 
the sawyer," and Ferguson, who was with 
Smith when he came. He staid there some 
time, learning to whipsaw, and afterward 
went with Ferguson to San Jose, and built 
the first flourmill there. He then returned 
to the redwoods, and with Smith built a saw- 
pit, felled trees, and began to hew lumber for 
sawing, sometimes sleeping in the pit, the 
log cabin of Bill being some distance from 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



the work. Smith and Weeks parted when 
Coppinger came, and Weeks joined the latter 
in making sliingles and sawing lumber. 

ARCADIAN LIFE. 

Weeks gives the following picture of his 
Arcadian life in the San Mateo redwoods: 

" I spent a happy life working in the Pul- 
gas redwoods. Sometimes I would go to San 
Jose, Yerba Buena, Santa Clara, Monterey 
or Santa Cruz; was not overburdened with 
constant hard labor. Our time was our own, 
and we knew how to enjoy it. Except the 
house of ' Bill, the sawyer,' and the residence 
of the Soto family, there was not a building 
in the township. The Indians who had not 
been gathered into the fold of the missions, 
had rancheriasm thecanons amid timber-clad 
mountains. Hill and vale were alike thronged 
with game, while the herds of the ranches 
roamed literally upon a thousand hills. 

" The marsh lands occupied a greater area 
than they do to-day, while the cultivated or 
occupied (pasture) lands were covered with 
wild oats that grew 'shoulder liigh with a 
horseman.' 

" Thus the land lay for many quiet and 
peaceful years. Immigration began in 1841, 
and increased with each succeeding year, 
compounding in numbers like interest on a 
note of hand in the flush times of the gold 
discovery. 

" In 1844, Dennis Martin arrived in the 
Sacramento valley, and in the following year 
came into San Mateo redwoods, to the Corte 
Madera rancho, then owned by John Cop- 



pinger, James Pease, John Pepper and Charles 
Brown was tlien there. Brown was occupy- 
ing the Mountain Home ranch. 

" The country was now on the eve of an 
eventful change. It passed under the sov- 
ereignty of the United States in 1846, but 
nothing more than the rumor of the war with 
Me.xico reached the shades of the San Mateo 
redwoods. 

" It was not so with the discoveiy of gold, 
which took place two years later. That event 
came like an electric shock, and was felt in 
every town, mission, ranch and camp, not 
only in California, but throughout the civil- 
ized world. Dennis Martin and others rushed 
from the peaceful redwoods to the gold pla- 
cers. Martin, contrary to the general rule, 
was successful; and in 1850 he returned and 
located near Searsville, and in the fall of that 
year, he erected a water-power sawmill on 
San Francisquito creek, about three-fourths 
of a mile below Searsville. This was the flrst 
sawmill ever built in the country. But it 
was only run for a few weeks, when it was 
carried away by a flood. 

" The next mill was built by a man named 
De Hart, on the Mountain Home ranch, then 
owned by Charley Brown. De Hart let a 
contract to one Whipple to run the lumber 
to the tail of the mill at $25 per 1,000. 
Whipple soon made money enough to buy 
the mill, selling a large quantity of lumber at 
$75 a 1,000, for which he did not have to pay 
for the hauling at the rate of $25 per 1,000. 
He afterward moved the mill and broke up. 



SAJSr MATEO COUNT r. 



Whipple, who was a Mormon, died recently 
in San Francisco." 

REDWOOD AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS. 

It is apparent from the foregoing that its 
redwood forests were a very important factor 
in the first settlement of San Mateo county. 
Eventually the products of the forests 
gave name to the estuary, whence they 
were shipped, and afterward to the 
city wliicli was huilt on its shore and 
in fact, tlie lumber interest played an 
equally important part in the development of 
other sections of California. The first steam 
mill of any kind in the Territory was built 
in the Bodega redwoods, by Captain Stephen 
Smith in 1843. General Vallejo, who was 
present when Captain Smith started the mill, 
said afterward, " I distinctly remember hav- 
ing predicted on that occasion that before 
many years California would have more 
steam engines than soldiers." This prophecy 
was soou verified. 

The redwood (^Sequoia sempsrvirens), in 
many of its valuable qualities, equals, if it 
does not surpass, any tree known in the for- 
ests of America. It belongs to the same 
general family as the so-called "big trees," 
but differs materially from it in the texture 
of the wood and its foliage. The redwood 
proper grows only on the coast of California. 
It approaches on the north the Oregon line, 
but does not cross it. It is not found south 
of Monterey county. It grows best in the 
fog belt along the coast, or within the influ- 
ence of the sea breeze. Beyond that line it 



does not flourish. Formerly the canons fac- 
ing the ocean were literally packed with red- 
wood trees, as they are still in northwest Cal- 
ifornia. 

It is a grand sight to see the gray line of 
fog crawling like a living creature through 
the high foliage of a redwood forest. It is 
the tribute of the sea to the greatest of the 
productions of its embracing shore. As the 
mist moves slowly on it is condensed, drops 
from the foliage and moistens the feeders of 
the tree to the tips of its outlying roots. 
This mild but effective process of irrigation 
is continued every day and night during the 
season of fog. 

Undoubtedly the tremendous height and 
girth, which the tree attains in favorable 
localities, are due to the moisture it distils 
from the northwest summer trade winds blow- 
ing fresh from the ocean. Wherever this in- 
fluence is felt within the line of its growth, 
the canons contained more or less redwood. 
On the rich bottom land on Russian river, 
there was a forest of many thousand acres, 
where the trees ranged from ten to eighteen 
feet in diameter, and from 250 to 400 feet in 
height. 

QUALITY OF THE TIMBER. 

Redwood does not warp; its grain runs 
strait and therefore it splits true; and it takes 
on a fine polish as a finishing wood. This is 
especially true of what is known as "curly" 
redwood, which can be made to surpass in 
beauty the finest mahogany. Redwood con- 
tains no resin, and when green or wet is difli- 



SAN MATEO GOUNTT. 



cult to burn, although when thoroughly sea- 
soned it burns very rapidly. It is very 
durable, both in or above the ground, in the 
water or out. It is said that the stockades, 
built by the Russians at Fort Ross, in 1820, 
is still a solid structure. Fences built in the 
early settlement of San Mateo county are 
still sound. 

For water, wine, and other tanks, it is the 
best material known. Redwood water tanks 
are universally used throughout California, 
and in the arid regions of Arizona and New 
Mexico. Tanks of this material are nsed by 
all the brewers on the coast for the storage of 
beer, and it is coming into use in the East 
for the same purpose. About 1,500,000 feet 
of this tank lumber was used by brewers in 
Milwaukee, Toledo and Detroit, in 1890; 
and during the same year 12,000,000 feet of 
redwood lumber of all kinds was shipped to 
the East, with every prospect that this trade 
will largely increase in the future. 

John Muir, the naturalist, thinks some of 
the. Sequoia gigantea, coMfims, oi the redwood, 
may be 6,000 years old. On a sixteen-foot 
redwood tree, as many as 1,280 rings of 
annual growth have been counted. 

There is an extensive business done in 
wood, tanbark and other forest products, 
which are shipped direct to San Francisco by 
sea. A large area of redwood timber, in the 
same section, owned by private individuals, 
will prove valuable to the county in the 
future. The forests at present inaccessible 
are practically untouched, which is in some 
respects fortunate, as standing redwood tim- 



ber is getting scarce, especially so near San 
Francisco, and every year adds to its value- 
The question of facilities for marketing it is 
only a question of a short time, as there are 
a number of shipping points along the coast 
which can be utilized for this purpose when 
it will pay to build roads to them. New 
channels of trade are being opened up in the 
Eastern market, where the reputation of this 
valuable timber will steadily improve and 
hold its own against any wood on earth. 
When all of its good qualities are more gen- 
erally known, the demand for it will be 
enormous. 

The products of the county include all the 
crops common to the country bordering on 
the bay of San Francisco. The staples are 
wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, beans, and in 
some parts of the county flax has been suc- 
cessfully grown for the manufacture of oil 
from the seed. The dairying interest of San 
Mateo county is large and profitable. The 
largest dairies ai-e at Visitacion, San Bruno, 
Millbrae and Belmont, nearly all of which 
send their supply of milk daily to San Fran- 
cisco. 

CHAPTER IV. 

SAN MATEO OF TO-DAY. 
COUNTY OFFICERS. 

fOLLOWING are the civil officers of San 
Mateo county: George H. Buck, super- 
^ ior judge; George W. Fox, district 
attorney; J. F. Johnston, county clerk and 
recorder; E. Eskerenkotte, deputy clerk; 
W. J. McGarvey, deputy clerk; George W. 



SAN MATEO OOUNTIT. 



201 



Lovie, assessor; George Barker, auditor; F. 
P. Chamberlain, treasurer; W. H. Kinnie, 
sheriff; Claud Fox, under sheriff; H. S. 
Pitcher, tax collector; J. F. Utter, superin- 
tendent of schools; D. Bromfield, county 
surveyor; Alexander Gordon, assemblyman; 
A. F. Greene supervisor (chairman) first town- 
ship; W. B. Lawrence, supervisor second town- 
ship; John Stafford, supervisor third town- 
ship; Jas. B. Freitas, supervisor fourth town- 
ship; H. B.Adair, supervisor fifth township. 

ASSESSMENTS. 

The following are the property valuations 
of the county for 1891 and 1892: 

1891. 

Real estate and improvemeots $13,690,47o 

Personal property 1,151,305 

Total 113,841,780 

Southern Pacific Railroad Company 235,094 

Total 114,076,874 

Tax rate 1.20 

1893. 

Real estate and improvements $14,889,065 

Personal property 1,140,310 

Total $16,029,975 

Southern Pacific Railroad Co $333,090 

Pullman Car Co 1,497— 234,587 

Total $16,264,562 

Acres of land assessed 293,973 

County tax rate $1.15 

SAN MATEO COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS — 1892. 

J. F. Utter, superintendent County Board 
of Education: George' H. Rice, president, 
Redwood City; J. F. Utter, secretary. Red- 



wood City; Mary Stewart, Redwood City; 
Etta M. Tilton, San Mateo; J. C. Nash, 
Halfmoon Bay. 



CENSUS ClIILDEEN. 



No. between 5 and 17, white, boys, 1,373, girls, 

1,260; total 2,683 

No. between 5 and 17, negro, 6, Mongd, 2 8— 2,641 

No. under 5, white, 989; negro, 3 — 991 



No. under 17 total 3,632 

No. between 5 and 17 attend public school 

in year 1,952 

No. between 5 and 17 attend only private 

schools in year 244 

No. between 5 and 17 not attending.school 

in year 445 

No. native born, 3,137; foreign born, 495 3,633 

No. teachers or classes, grammar, 25; pri- 
mary, 31 5(5 

No. pupils enrolled, boys, 1,108; girls, 986 2,094 

Average number belonging 1,473 

Average daily attendance 1,336 

Percentage of attendance on number belong- 
ing 91 

COURSE OF STDDY. 

No. of pupils enrolled, grammar grade, 566; 

primary grade, 1,538; total 2,094 

Average number months schools maintained.. 9 

Sex teachers, male 8, female 48 56 

Grammar certificates, high 5; first grade 43; 

second grade 9 

Average salary paid teachers per month $60.3-7 

CURRENT EXPENSBS. 

Paid teachers $34,077.11 

Paid rent, fuel, etc... 5,781.28 

Paid libraries 603.95 

Paid apparatus 386.01 $40,848.35 

Paid sites, buildings and furniture.. 8,745.32 



Total expenses 

Balance July 1, 1891 $13,254.03 

Received State taxes 20,814.00 

Received county 15,:i38.00 

Received city and district. 1,394.91 
Received subscriptions.etc. 7,069 00 

Total received $57,869.93 



.$49,593.67 



303 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



Total expenses 49,593.67 

Balance June 30, 1893 $ 8,376.26 

Value of lots and buildings and 

furnishings $ 94,055 

Value of libraries 9,170 

Value of school apparatus 4,360 



Total school property f 107,585 

No. of volumes in libraries 11,441 

Average month wages paid male teachers ..$88.14 

Average month vpages paid female 

teachers 63.81 

Salary of county superintendent $1,500.00 

No. graduates from California normal schools 7 

No. teachers holding life diplomas 12 

No. teachers holding State education diplomas.... 14 

No. teachers holding hfga school certificates 5 

No. teachers holding first grade certificates 43 

No. teachers holding second grade certificates 9 

AmoD^ the private schools of the county 
are the following: 

BELMONT SCHOOL. 

This was opened in 1885, near Belmont, 
on the Southern Pacilic railroad, twenty-five 
miles south of San Francisco. It was founded 
by the present head-master, H. T. Reid 
Harvard 1868), who resigned the presidency 
of the University of California for the pur- 
pose of carrying out his long cherished plan 
of erecting a preparatory school for boys, 
which should hold an honorable place among 
the best educational institutions in the 
country. The location of the school is prob- 
ably unsurpassed as regards healthfulness, 
beauty, convenience and adaptability. Its 
steadfast purposes are to offer thorough 
preparation for those colleges and technical 
schools whose requirements for admission 
are most severe; to do all that it may to 
quicken the moral and religious sense, and 
strengthen the moral courage; and to give 



such attention to systematic physical culture 
as shall contribute to good liealth and a 
vigorous physical development. The greater 
part of all students attending the school, 72 
per cent (1892), are preparing for college. 
The graduates of the school have for the 
most part entered Harvard, Yale, the Uni- 
versity of California, Leland Stanford, Jr., 
University, Cornell University, or the jy^assa- 
chusetts Institute of Technology. No candi- 
date from the school has ever failed to pass 
the examinations for which he was recom- 
mended as prepared, and its graduates are 
admitted to the University of California, 
Leland Standford, Jr., University, Cornell 
University, and the Van Rensselaer Institution 
without examination. Physical culture un- 
der the direction of a special teacher of gym- 
nastics will hereafter be a stated requirement, 
and will have a place in the program of 
exercises, the same as mathematics, English 
or any other requirement. Military drill is 
a feature only as an adjunct to the work of 
physical culture. The discipline of the 
school is very simple, and entirely in the in- 
terest of the boys, who are on the whole well 
meaning. Belmont does not pretend to keep 
and successfully deal with bad boys, and is 
perhaps a little intolerant of them, for it in- 
sists on their immediate withdrawal as soon 
as their unruly, vicious, or vulgar dispositions 
become known. 

The school was started in the belief that 
the best social, scholarly and disciplinary 
results are likely to be obtained in a school 
whose numbers are so limited as to make it 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



possible to exercise over every pupil a close 
individual supervision. Certainly nothing 
could compensate for the loss of such super- 
vision. 

On the other hand it is of great advantage 
to the scholarship of a school to have its 
classes formed with such care that only pupils 
of like capacity or attainments and with a 
common purpose may be placed togetiier. It 
is also highly desirable that classes should be 
large enough to stimulate interest and a 
healthy rivalry. How to combine in one the 
advantages of a small and a large school has 
been one of the educational problems. Its 
solution seems to be pretty well assured in 
the so-called cottage system. In this system 
there is a separate building for every forty 
boys, more or less, and this building is the 
family home of a teacher and his wife. The 
cottage system, therefore, secures all the ad- 
vantages of a school limited in numbers, 
while a group of several cottages gives the 
numbers necessary to the most advantageous 
classification. The gradual enlargement of 
the school on the cottage system has become 
the fixed policy of the school. The increase 
in the size of the school calls for an imme- 
diate increase of the school facilities; a gym- 
nasium equipped with the best modern con- 
veniences will be erected and other buildings 
will soon follow. The best equipment for 
the best work is the steady purpose of the 
school. 

OAK GEOVE SCHOOL. 

This institution for boys, although the 
most recent to be established in San Mateo, 



is the peer of any other in the county. It is 
presided over by Ira D. lloitt, A. U., M. A., 
a teacher of life- long experience and late State 
superintendent of public instruction. lie 
is assisted by a full corps of able teachers. 

The location and grounds were weighty 
considerations in the selection of this place 
for the school. It includes the private resi- 
dence and beautifully improved grounds of 
the late J. H. Redington, situated two and a 
half miles from Millbrae, three miles from 
San Mateo and one and a half miles from 
Oak Grove Station, which can be reached 
from San Francisco in one hour. It is there- 
fore near enough to the city to allow of tak- 
ing advantage of any special privileges from 
that source. It is two and a half miles from 
Millbrae, the nearest village, and therefore 
free from any disadvantages of town sur- 
roundings. It is accessible and convenient 
not only for pupils but for parents who may 
wish to visit their sons when on business 
trips to the city. 

The grounds include 156 acres and are 
possessed of great natural beauty, to which 
extraordinary attractions have been added by 
the expenditure of many thousands of dollai's, 
under the direction of a skillful landscape 
gardener. 

The purpose of the school is to stimulate 
in the boy manly impulses, quicken and 
strengthen his sense of duty and moral cour- 
age, contribute vigor to his physicial develop- 
ment, lead him to a clear idea of right, and 
to the acquisition of such mental furniture 
as shall prepare him for admission to the 



8AJV MATEO COUNTY. 



best college, university, or technical school 
in the land, or for a successful business life, 
and at the same time surround him with as 
many of the relinemento, comforts and pleas- 
ures of home as are possible in a first-class 
school. 

Onlj teachers of accredited ability and 
high standing will be retained in the school. 
The course of study extends from the primary 
school to the college and university. 

ST. Matthew's school. 

St. Matthew's School founded in 1866, is 
situated about a mile and one-half from 
San Mateo. The site commands a fine view 
of the bay of San Francisco, with Mount San 
Bruno to the north, Mount Diablo in the 
center beyond the bay and the Conta Costa 
range, and Mount Hamilton to the extreme 
south. Nestling as it does at the base of the 
eastern slope of the Coast Range, there is ab- 
solute protection from all fogs, and the cli- 
mate is much warmer than in the valley be- 
low. The buildings are placed on three sides 
of a quadrangle, thus affording every oppor- 
tunity for close communication, and at the 
same time securing perfect lighting and ven- 
tilation and unlimited sunlight. 

A TELESCOPE 

is permanently mounted on a solid pier of 
masonry and furnished with necessary gear- 
ing for perfect and easy equatorial motion. 

A teacher of gymnastics is engaged when 
opportunity arises, and a gymnasium is con- 
nected with the school. Target practice with 



small arms is indulged in, under proper super- 
vision. A revolving Wingate target for all 
distances up to and including 300 yards, with 
a marker's shelter, is provided. A large play, 
ground has been carefully leveled, providing 
drill ground, a base ball diamond and foot- 
ball grounds. Dancing is taught as classes 
are formed. 

Every means is employed to arouse en- 
thusiasm in lines of study and self-improve- 
ment outside of the prescribed courses and in 
sports. In this connection clubs and so- 
cieties have proven most helpful and stimu- 
lating. Besides the regularly organized 
baseball and football " leagues," a 1 iterary 
association, with its own reading room, has 
been maintained, a reading club has held 
frequent meetings, a yacht club and tennis 
club have been actively engaged, and the 
Brotherhood of St. Andrew has been estab- 
lished. 

The junior grammar, middle grammar and 
intermediate grades constitute the grammar 
department, while the academic department is 
composed of the junior academic, middle acade- 
mic and senior academic grades. The course of 
the grammar department is the same for all 
students, but in the academic department 
there are three distinct courses, designed to 
prepare boys for an English scientific or class- 
ical course at college. While the course has 
been arranged, primarily, with a view to pre- 
paring boys for college, the scientific course 
is arranged for those who expect to enter 
upon active business life when they have left 
school. Those who have this object in view 



SAJSr MATEO COUNTY. 



will be allowed to omit trigonometry and 
astronomy during the last two terms, taking 
up bookkeeping and commercial arithmetic 
instead. 

French, German, Spanish and music are 
tauglit. But lessons in these branches must 
take second place in the arrangement of the 
schedule and cannot be substituted for stud- 
ies in the regular course. In general, boys 
should not begin the study of languages and 
music if they are in any way backward in their 
common-school branches, unless such study 
is in the line of their preparation for college. 

Special attention is given to preparing boys 
for the University of California, and gradu- 
ates of this school are admitted to that insti- 
tution, as well as to the Leland Stanford, Jr., 
University, Cornell University, Trinity Col- 
lege, Hartford, Connecticut, and Plobart Col- 
lege, without examination, on recommenda- 
tion from the rector. Such recommendation, 
however, is given to those students only, who 
have shown marked industry and ability 
throughout the course. 

St. Matthew's school is conducted by Rev. 
A. S. Brewer. 

The Convent of Notre Dame, built in 
1886, has an attendance of eighty pupils, 
with Sister Mary Louise at its head and five 
assistants. 

CHAPTER V. 

REDWOOD CITY. 

tEDWOOD CITY was started in 1851 
at the head of tide-water on Redwood 
creek as the erribarcaclero for shipping 
lumber from the immense redwood forests on 



the eastern slope of the Santa Cruz, Santa 
Morena and Coast Ranges, being incorporated 
as a city without a mayor. Tlie city council 
(1892) consists of Alex. Gordon, president; 
George H. Rice, Henry Beeger and Robert 
Brown ; J. W. Glennan, clerk. The other of- 
ficials are: J. V. Swift, assessor; P. B. Jami- 
son, marshal; J. S. Hughes, superintendent 
of streets. 

REDWOOD CITY SCHOOLS. 

Census children between 5 and 17, boys, 294; girls, 

297; total, 591 

Census children under 5 204 

No. between 5 and 17, who have attended public 

schools 441 

No. between 5 and 17 who have attended only pri- 
vate schools 87 

No. between 5 and 17 who have not attended any 

schools 63 

Native born, 407— foreign born,38S 795 

No. of schools or teachers 9 

No. teachers holding grammar grade certificates 4; 

primary grade, 5 

Enrolled whole No. boys, 2"il; girls, 233 484 

No. months school maintained 10 

Sex, teachers ;male, 1; female, 8 9 

Grade teacher's certificate; high school, 2; first 
grade, 4; second grade, 3 

CUKRENT EXPENSES. 

Paid teachers $5,592.50 

Paid rents, fuel, etc 799.28 

Paid libraries 15.15 $6,406.93 

Paid sites, building and furnishing 2,719.14 



Total e.xpenditures $9,126.07 

RESOURCES. 

By balance July 1, 1891 $2,879.84 

By amount state apportionment 3,762.00 

By amount county apportionment 2,534.00 

Total $9,175^4 

Total expenses 9,126.07 

Balance June 30, 1892 $ 49.77 



206 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



Value of lots, buildings, and furnishings $23,000 

Value of libraries 1,000 

Value of apparatus 500 

Value of school property $24,500 

No. of volumes in library 1,300 

The school buildings, all but tiie primary 
department, are located on between two and 
three acres of land, donated for school pur- 
poses by J. V. Dillar, on what is known as the 
Island. The main building has four class- 
rooms, 30 X 40. Horace Hawes in his life-time 
built and equipped a complete gymnasium 
and presented it to the school. The trustees 
built two additional school-rooms 35x65. In 
1880 two more school rooms were put up, 
and part of gymnasium converted into a class 
room. They now have in course of construc- 
tion a two-room building on B street, between 
Eleventh and Twelfth, on land purchased from 
the Mezes estate. Land and building will 
cost about $5,000. 

Redwood city contained a population of 
1,383 in 1880; and 1,572 in the year 1890. 

I^ree Library. — There is a free reading- 
room and library on Bridge street, where all 
the San Francisco daily papers and leading 
periodicals are kept on tile for public use. Miss 
Kate Stewart is librarian. The directors are 
Mrs. Sarah T. Fox, C. N. Kirkbride, B. A. 
Rankin, Oliver Dodge. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

The Times-Gazette, now owned by the San 
Mateo Publishing Company, was consolidated 
from two papers: the Gazette, started April 
9, 1859, by William Godfry, in Redwood 
City; and the Times started at San Mateo in 



1875, by Alvinza Hayward & Co., who soon 
after bought the Gazette. 

The Redwood City Democrat, started in 
1884, is published by the Redwood Demo- 
crat Publishing Company, with Frank P. 
Thompson as manager, and Robert A. Thomp- 
son as editor. The Democrat is ably con- 
ducted and is a very valuable exponent of the 
social and economic interests of the com- 
munity in which it is published. This work 
is indebted to the Democrat for much local 
and historical data of value, which is hereby 
thankfully and cordially acknowledged. 

TANNERIES. 

"The Frank Tanning Company," one of 
the largest of its kind on the Pacific coast, 
owned by Frank Brothers, turns off 3,000 
sides per week, principally of sole-leather; it 
employs 100 men; it uses bark mostly from 
California, but also from Mexico. 

The plant includes a 100-horse-power 
steam engine, with the necessary machinery, 
building, etc., and three artesian wells, be- 
sides over 260 automatic sprinklers, attached 
to pipes throughout the works, as precaution 
against fire. 

The Beeger Tannery, owned by Henry 
Beegei', employs twenty men and handles 
some 600 sides a week. Most of the prod- 
uct of both these extensive tanneries finds 
a ready and remunerative market in the East. 

REDWOOD CITY CHURCHES. 

Mount Carmel Roman Catholic church 
was erected in about 1865, with a seating 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



capacity of 400: Kev. D. O'Sullivan, rector, 
the membership or parishioners being about 
700. The church property consists of au 
entire block of land, upon which is located 
the church edifice, a handsome parsonage, 
and the convent of Notre Dame. 

St. Peter's Episcopal church is located on 
First street, near Bridge street. Rev. Jon- 
athan Nicols is the missionary in charge. 
The church building has been newly painted 
inside and out, seats cushioned and many 
comforts and appropriate appointments added. 

The First Congregational church is located 
on Jefferson street. It is in charge of Rev. 
L. D. Rathbone. 

The Methodist Episcopal church is located 
on Maple street, between Phelps and Stam- 
baugh streets. Rev. W. V. Donaldson is 
the pastor. 

The Baptists have a church on Heller 
street, but only occasional services are held. 

FRATERNAL SOCIETIES. 

Redwood, as will be observed from the 
following list, has its share of fraternal so- 
cieties: 

San Mateo Lodge, No. 168, F. and A. 
M., — B. A. Rankin, M.; George C. Ross, 
secretary. 

Bay View Lodge, 109, I. 0. O. F.— A. 
Bahler, N. G.; H. Larsen, V. G. ; James 
Wade, P. G. ; George W. Fox, recording 
secretary; J. W. Glennan, permanent sec- 
retary. 

Hope Encampment, No. 60, L O. O. 
F. — Henry Mangels, G. P.; Henry Tvibolet, 
S. W.; William Hadley, H. P. 



Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 48, 1. O. O. 
F.— Dora Horn, N. G.; Mrs. A. A. Titus, 
V. G.; Mrs. John Deilman, permanent sec- 
retary, J. W. Glennan, recording secretary . 

Redwood City Lodge, No. 82, K. of P.— 
Leon S. Bean, 0. C; W. H. Malott, V. C; 
James Van Court, K. of R. ; and S. ; James 
Swift, K. of F.; C. H. Offermann, K. of E. 

Metamora Tribe, No. 24, L O. R. M. — Leon 
Bean, sachem; A.. Q. Hanson, secretary. 

A. O. U. W., No. 25.— Jens Hanson, M. 
W.; A. Fisher, F.; George H. Buck, R.; J. 
W. Glennan, F.; B. F. Cooper, R. 

Redwood Parlor, No. 66, N. S. G. W.— 
H. C. Hall, president; A. D. Walsh, past 
president; William Havey, first vice-presi- 
dent: Michael Thompson, second vice-presi- 
dent; William Johnson, third vice-presi 
dent; C. N. Christ, recording secretary, 
Guy Hull, financial secretary; W. H. Scha- 
berg, treasurer, Frank Wentworth, mar- 
shal. Trustees — Will Beeson, Carl Plump 
and Fred Glennan. 

The Native Daughters also have a Parlor. 

There is also a G. A. R. post; a Women's 
Relief Corps and an organization of the 
Ancient Order of Druids. 

THE BANK OF SAN MATEO COUNTY 

was organized in 1891, as a commercial bank, 
under the laws of the State, with a capital 
stock of 1200,000. It is located at Redwood 
City. Its directors ?,re: J. L. Ross, presi. 
dent; L. P. Behrens, cashier; L. J. Frank, 
P. P. Chamberlain, J. D. Byrnes, George H. 
Rice, John A. Hooper, Ch. Josselyn, Charles 
Hanson. 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



REDWOOD CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

There are three hose companies and one 
hook and ladder company. Edward Fisher 
is foreman of No. 1; Fred B. Joyce, foreman 
of No. 2; William J. Fitzpatrick, foreman of 
No. 3. The foreman of the hook and ladder 
company is M. H. Thompson. Henry Beeger 
is chief of the fire department. Besides tliis 
there is an organization of exempts. They 
have a hand-power machine which is still 
capable of doing good work. George W. 
Fox is president of the exempts. 

CHAPTER VI. 

MISCELLANEOUS — SAN MATEO. 

JlnraHE town of San Mateo is a station on 
^\W the Southern Pacific railway, and has 
^^ many elegant homes, being a favorite 
place for country residences of merchants 
and others doing business in San Francisco, 
on account of its nearness to that city. An 
excellent road over the mountains greatly 
facilitates the handling of such products 
from the neighboring coast as are not sent to 
the metropolis by water. 

SAN MATEO DISTRICT SCHOOLS. 

No. children between 5 and 17; boys, 253; girls, 

1^5; total 388 

No. children under 5 144 

No. children who have attended school 247 

No. children between 5 and 17 who only attend pri- 
vate 73 

No. children who have not attended any school.. . 68 

Native born, 504 — foreign born, 28 582 

No. and grade of schools, grammar grade 2; pri- 
mary grade 5 7 

No. boys enrolled 211 — girls 89 300 



Average No. belonging 209 

Average daily attendance 197 

Percent of attendance on average No. belong 94 

No. pupils enrolled in grammar grade 32; primary 

grade 268 300 

No. months of school maintained lO^:^ 

Sex of teachers : all females 7 

Teachers certificates high school, 1 ; 1st. grammar, 

4; 2d grammar, 2 

CURRENT EXPENSES. 

Paid teachers |4,323.75 

Paid rent and contingent ex- 
penses 1,710.61 

Paid libraries 101.50 

Paid apparatus 30.00 $6,165.86 

Paid lots, buildings and furnishings 5,681.30 



$11,827.16 



Balance July 1, '91 $952.43 

Received State $2,574.00 

Received county 1,818.00 

Received subscription, insurance, 

etc... 7,069.00 



Total receipts $11,413.42 $12,413.42 

Balance June 80, '92 $586.26 

Valuation of lots, houses and fur- 
nishings $600 

Valuation of libraries 600 

Valuation of apparatus 250 $1,450.00 

No. of volumes in library 900 

Note — In this district a six-class schoolhouse was 
burned during the school year and $7,000 insurance 
received. $25,000 bonds were voted for erecting an 
eight-class and also a four-class building. 

OTHER POINTS. 

There are numerous small towns in San 
Mateo county, besides EedwoodCity with its 
population of 1,570 and San Mateo with 950 
inhabitants, among which are: Half moon 
bay, Pescadero, Menlo Park, Colma Station; 
and smaller settlements, as Millbrae, Colusa, 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



Belmont, Searsville, Woodside, La Honda, 
Purisinia and San Gregorio. 

A PICTURESQUE COUNTY. 

Esthetically considered, San Mateo is one 
of the most attractive sections of the State. 
It abounds in the beautiful, both in nature 
and art. It has long stretches of beach, the 
finest for bathing in the world, rolling iiills, 
elevated ridges, wooded glens, rugged roman- 
tic caiions, precipitous cliffs, against which 
the ocean beats unceasingly, dense forests, 
where deer and qnail find a home, and crystal 
streams tilled with trout. From the summit 
of the ridge the view is unequaled in grand- 
eur and extent, except possibly from Mount 
Shasta, a point few people ever reach. Stand- 
ing on the crest of the divide and looking 
north, east and south, the eye commands at a 
sweep a distance of a hundred miles. From 
Vallejo to Gilroy, the hills of Marin, the bay 
of San Francisco, in its entirety, the counties 
of Alameda and Santa Clara, with their nu- 
merous cities, towns and villages, lie like a 
map spread at the observer's feet, with Ta- 
malpais, Diablo and Hamilton, rising like 
stately sentinels at intervals. To the west- 
ward adown deep canons over the tops of 
giant redwoods, that darken the slope, are seen 
the coast towns, the long shore line, the Far- 
allone Islands and the Pacific ocean with a 
stretch of unnumbei-ed miles north and south 
and limited in the west only by the impene- 
trable curtain at the horizon. 

HALFMOON BAT. 

Of all the towns in San Mateo this most 



wears the air of the pre-Americau regime. 
It is a quaint, rambling place with as much 
variety in its architecture as there is in the 
patois of its people. Situated in the beauti- 
ful and fertile Pilarcitos valley, on the border 
of that semi-luna of water, from which it 
takes its name, it is one of Nature's chosen 
spots, but unfortunate in its isolation. The 
valley spreads out into thousands of acres, 
through which the Pilarcitos creek makes its 
way to the sea. The climate is not excelled 
in its loveliness by any on the ocean side, not 
excepting the much vaunted Santa Barbara 
channel. From the town there stretches 
away to the north for miles a clean gradually 
shoaling beach, the finest without exception 
in California. From Pilar point, the north- 
ern headland, a reef of rocks, just discernible 
at low water by the break of the waves, ex- 
tends southward for two miles, forming a 
natural breakwater and rendering the beach 
absolutely free from undertow, high rollers 
and every possible danger. Here is the 
grandest bathing place in the world, prepared 
and protected by Nature. The building of the 
coast railroad will deflect the great army of 
people who annually flock to Monterey and 
places farther south. Halfmoon Bay will 
be rediscovered and the borders of the cres- 
cent be ornamented with summer hotels and 
villa residences. There is room for all in the 
spacious waters of the bay and the most ele- 
gant sites for hotels or summer homes to be 
found anywhere on the coast. 

This valley was the seat of the Miramontez 
and Vasquez families long before the appear- 



210 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



ance of the American settler, and by all old 
residents the town is still called Spanishtown. 
The old adobe homestead is still here, but 
before many years will have yielded to the 
assaults of time and become an unnoticed 
tumulus. There is something in tlie atmos- 
phere of Spanishtown that breeds a spirit of 
independence. The people believe in them- 
selves. Not that they consider that they are 
the salt of the earth entirely, but they love 
the valley where they have made their homes 
and cling to it as to a family tie which they 
are loth to sunder. The business of the 
place is drawn inainly from dairymen and 
farmers. At Amesport, a short distance 
north of town, there is a wharf and warehouse 
where coasting vessels call and take away the 
butter, cheese and beans. 

LA HONDA. 

In the romantic canon of the San Greg- 
orio, where ^iant redwoods cast their elon- 
gated shadows and the murmuring waters of 
tile stream sing a ceaseless lullaby, Mr. John 
H. Sears, one of the pioneers of San Mateo, 
is passing the afternoon of his life. Here 
he has built a hotel and store and does not 
lack for company. During the summer sea- 
son the woods ring with the merry voices of 
campers and the hotel and cottages are 
crowded to repletion. No more charming 
place can be found anywhere in the State. 
It is reached by stage from Redwood City 
over a fine road, but so strong is the impres- 
sion of a primeval wilderness when once in 
the heart of the forest that even the rattle of 



the daily coach and the receipt of diurnal 
messages from home does not suifice to break 
it. White tents peep through the bushes at 
every turn, but that serves to high ten the 
illusion. You are out of the world when 
you know you are in it. The days are spent 
in eager angling after the elusive trout with 
which the stream abounds. In the ev-ening 
there are concerts in the camps; bear stories 
to be swapped with the landlord; compara- 
tive fish yarns by young men, who could'nt 
catch three trout in a week, but who love to 
talk about it; a championship game at crib- 
bage with the drummer, who knows it all 
and then to be abed for seven hours in 
deepest oblivion. It is a joyful place, un- 
conventional, unaffected, but unexceptionable 
in the personnel of its patrons. A writer in 
one of the many visits to this favorite spot 
was introduced to a camp, where the party 
was almost entirely composed of ladies. 
When out of hearing of the camp he asked 
the lady who acted as chaperon of the party 
how they managed to enjoy themselves with- 
out the aid of the sterner sex. " Enjoy 
themselves?" said she in a burst of enthus- 
iasm, " oh, yes; they do! We have plenty of 
horses, wear divided skirts, ride astride like 
men and have such lots of fun." Of course 
they did. It was harmless, healthful fun, 
and they were free to throw their souls into 
it. It was an active exercise of body and 
mind in a pure air, and with such surround- 
ings as induced joyful hearts, consuming ap- 
petites and refreshing sleep. Every day so 
spent added a year to their lives. It is not 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



211 



strange that when the sun dips to the south 
they look forward with eager anticipation to 
the June days when they shall again set up 
their tents at La Honda. 

LIGHTHOUSES. 

Ano Nnevo (New Year's) Island fog sig- 
nal station (lantern) is located on the south- 
western or seaward side of the island. It 
was established in 1872. Its latitude is 37° 
06' (43") north; and longitude 122°, 19' 
(51") west. The liglit is a fixed white 
lens lantern, twenty-four feet above sea level. 
This station is equipped with a twelve-inch 
steam whistle. Blasts, ten seconds; intervals 
fifty-five seconds. 

Point Pigeon lightliouse is located on the 
extremity of Pigeon Point, latitude 37°, 10' 
49" north, and longitude 122°, 23', 39", 
west. Light, flashing white every ten sec- 
onds, a Fresnel of the first order, 150 feet 
above sea level, visible eighteen and one-half 
(nautical) miles; established in 1872. It has a 
twelve-inch whistle: blasts, four seconds, 
alternate intervals of seven and forty-five 
seconds. It is thirty-eight miles south of 
Golden Gate and thirty-nine miles from Point 
Pinos light. 

The lantern of this station did duty at 
Cape Hatteras on the coast of North Caro- 
lina before the war, but so perfect is its 
construction that the revolviag apparatus 
shows no sign of attrition, although it has 
been in use half a lifetime. 



CHAPTER VII. 

CLIMATIC PECULIARITIES OF THE COAST. 

j^^UK uniform temperature throughout the 
flM year, on this coast, is largely due to that 
"^^ great conservator of climate, the ocean, 
on our western border. During the winter 
months, warm southeast winds prevail at in- 
tervals. The long winter nights, with the 
lessened amount of heat from the sun, and 
consequent cooler atmosphere, reduce the 
temperature of the southeast winds, coming 
from a warmer region, and cause the condens- 
ation and precipitation of their moisture in 
the form of copious showers of rain. This 
makes the so-called rainy season; during which 
(especially, if there is much south wind) 
there is a general growth of vegetation, as 
in spring in the Eastern States. Exception- 
ally dry seasons are caused by a failure of 
these southerly winds in their seasons; when 
this occurs the weather is colder, with more 
frost than in wet winters, when the south 
winds prevail. 

In October, when the days are shortening 
and the resident of the Atlantic States is 
hauling his " back logs " over the frozen 
ground, to protect himself against the long, 
cold nights of winter, the farmer on the bor- 
ders of the bay of San Francisco is plowing 
his land for the next year's crop. Should the 
rains begin in October, by the first of Novem- 
ber the hills are green. The new season's 
growth follows close upon the heels of har- 
vest, and often overtakes the vintage. Grain 
I may be sown as early as October, or as late as 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



April, and will perfect a crop. Curn is rarely 
planted until the rains cease. In favorable 
locations the japouica, the rose, and geranium 
will bloom all the year round. 

About the first of April the climatic condi- 
tion is reversed. The days grow long and 
warm, the south winds cease entirely, and are 
succeeded by the regular northwest winds. 
The temperature of these winds from the 
ocean is colder than the temperature on land; 
hence their moisture is dissipated instead of 
condensed as it passes over the heated plains, 
and all clouds disappear altogether, resulting 
in the absence of rains until the return of the 
southerly winds again in autumn. From the 
above it will be seen why it is that the win- 
ters on the California coast are comparatively 
warm, and the summers cool; in other words, 
why we have an all-the-year equable climate, 
being a benefaction from the all-generous 
ocean. 

THE CAUSES OF OUR WET AND DRY SEASONS. 

As the summer sun, after it passes the 
equator in its northward march, heats up the 
interior, or the Colorado desert, each day, rare- 
fying the atmosphere and causing it to rise 
over an immense area, thereby creating, or 
tending to create, a vacuum, the surrounding 
air, and especially the cooler and heavier air 
of the ocean, rushes in along the surface of 
the earth, to replace the attenuated; lighter, 
rising air of this vast interior region. And 
thus it is that the trade-winds of the Pacific 
ocean north of the equator, which, as mar- 
iners tell us, blow six months in summer 



towards the southwest, are diverted inland 
near the coast each day, with such force as to 
drive off, or in fact to dissipate altogether 
all clouds, which might but for this powerful 
local cause tend to gather and produce rain 
as in most other parts of the world. Now, 
as aqueous precipitation is caused by precisely 
the same law, whether produced by natural 
or artificial processes, it follows that if vapor 
is distilled or condensed into liquid, artifically 
as in the still- worm, by passing from a heated 
state to a relatively cooler state, or from a 
warm to a colder locality, then air currents 
bearing moisture, — ^and all air currents do 
carry moisture, whether visible in the form 
of vapor, or clouds, or not — must have their 
aqueous particles condensed by the cold when 
passing from a warm to a relatively cool local- 
ity. Air currents, moving from the equatorial 
regions toward either pole must have their 
watery particles chilled and condensed by the 
increasing cold and by the intenser cold over- 
head, and, if the process is continued long 
enough, precipitated, in the form of mist, 
rain, hail or snow. This is the general law; 
and it is uniform and inexorable in its opera- 
tions, whether invoked by Nature or by man. 
And the converse of this law is equally in- 
exorable and uniform in its operations. If 
relative cold condenses, relative heat dissi- 
pates. 

Herein then are found the causes, both of 
our wet and our dry seasons. The heating up 
of the interior daily, while the sun is north of 
the equator, causes a draft or suction of air- 
currents from where it is cool to where it is 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



warm, the result of which is the dissipation 
or dispersion of the moisture which those air 
currents may carry. Therefore, the agencies 
which cause rain elsewhere are wholly inoper- 
ative here so long as the sun is north of the 
equator. All winds, and all fogs and clouds 
within the area of this all-potent local causey 
to wit, the suction of the daily super-heated 
desert, are subordinated to its action, and the 
phenomenon of rain becomes, as a rule, im- 
possible. And thus we have our long, dry, 
but bracing, summers near the seacoast. 

But when the sun passes south of the 
equator it ceases to heat the desert, and 
therefore causes but little or no draft, and 
then agencies which usually bring rain the 
world over, are free to operate here. And 
thus we have our so-called rainy seasons, ^. e., 
seasons during which it becomes possible for 
rains to come here, as they do elsewhere. 

Another incidental peculiarity of our daily 
wind currents may be noted in this connec- 
tion. These ocean breezes come up daily 
with the sun (or as soon as he has heated the 
desert, say at nine or ten o'clock) and go 
down with the snn. The earth, being heated 
on the surface, cools quickly, whilst the ocean, 
heated to a considerable depth, cools slowly, 
and thus it is sometimes warmer in the night 
than the land; and thus it happens that we 
have sea breezes by day, and land breezes by 
night. These latter, however, are not regu- 
lar. Sometimes these night currents are off 
and sometimes on land, and sometimes there 
are none at all. 

The copiousness of our summer fogs near 



the coast are at least a partial substitute for 
irrigation. These dense fogs are condensed 
whenever they drift inland, by the relatively 
colder temperature of the land in the night; 
and vegetation feels their influence and ab- 
sorbs their life-giving moisture. Tiie effect 
of a few such summer nights equals a light 
shower of rain. This is why all farm, 
orchard, and other crops will mature near the 
coast without irrigation. This also, as has al- 
ready been remarked, is why the dense redwood 
forests thrive so wonderfully all along the im- 
mediate coast of northern California. 

In this respect, the climate of the coast 
counties differs from that of the great and 
magnificent interior valleys of the State (out- 
side of the influence of these heavy fogs), 
where irrigation is necessary to produce a 
crop. 

The temperature of the sea-breeze is from 
55° to 60° Fahrenlieit. When the ocean 
winds do not blow, the valley temperature, 
east of the mountain, ranges from 80 to 90 
degrees in summer, but this heat is neither 
dangerous nor oppressive, as the air is dry 
and the nights are always cool. 

There is rarely a day in winter or summer, 
when work out of doors cannot be performed 
without physical discomfort; and in winter 
there are l)right days in California which 
would lead a traveler, coming from the ice- 
bound East, to believe that he had really 
found a climate rivaling that of ancient 
Italia; and few would question his belief. 

TOPOGRAPHY AS AFFECTING CLIMATE. 

The topography of San Mateo county, to 



314 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



a considerable extent, governs its climate. 
The mountain range which constitutes the 
backbone of tiie county, at a point some 
fonrteen miles from the straits through which 
the waters of the Pacific ocean flow into the 
bay of San Francisco, rapidly decline in height, 
and seem to lose themselves in the ocean. 
From this point to the Golden Gate, the face 
of the ground is broken into low, rolling 
hills and sand dunes of variable height. The 
northwest summer trade winds, accompanied 
by detached drifts of fog, sweep over this de- 
pression, and give San Francisco its harsh but 
not unhealthful summer climate. 

But the mountain range in San Mateo 
county turns the current of the sea-breeze, 
and holds back the fog which crawls up the 
slope, and banks itself along the summit of 
the mountains, being condensed by the rela- 
tive cold of that attitude, and also slightly 
obstructed, perhaps, by the trees and shrubs 
which crown the crest of the range. This 
mountain fog bank is the condensed freshness 
of the sea, out of which a cool breeze flows 
down the eastern slope of the range to the 
bay shore, cooling the atmosphere of the 
plains and foot-hills, without the disagree- 
ableness or inconvenience of the propelling 
winds, or actual contact with the fog. In 
other words, the morning sun warms the 
temperature of the air of the valley below, 
wlilch (as relative heat, according to an in- 
variable natural law, always does) rarefies 
and dissipates the fog and tempers the breeze 
as it flows down the slope. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

SUBURBAN HOMES POSSIBILITIES. 

fHE almond, apricot and other early 
varieties of fruit bloom in the last days 
of February. The conditions of the 
climate were appreciated very early by 
wealthy residents of the metropolis, many of 
whom have made tiieir summer homes in San 
Mateo county. It was rather unfortunate 
for the county, perhaps, that land was so low 
in price at the time those purchases were 
made, for many of the holdings are in large 
tracts, which is detrimental to the settlement 
and progress of this section. 

Many of these homes are improved to a 
high degree. The grounds combine the 
beauties of the native growth, with all the 
semi-tropic plants which flourish on the coast, 
and are dreams of beauty, as examples of 
landscape gardening. They show at least 
what can be done on small lots and acre 
tracts by the application of water during the 
summer months and an intelligent hand to 
direct the improvements. There are in this 
area, extending from the town of San Mateo 
to the Stanford University, over 100,000 acres 
of land susceptible of as high a state of culture 
as Palo Alto, the Flood grounds, or any other 
of the best improved places at San Mateo, or 
Menlo Park, at a distance of only from twelve 
to thirty miles from the city of San Francisco. 
It is an anomalous fact that land in this 
choice region can still be bought in acre 
tracts or lots, for from one-fifth to one-tenth 
the sum asked on the Oakland side of the 



8AN MATEO COUNTY. 



bay. Between Oakland and Berkeley, land is 
held at from $2,500 to $4,000 per acre. Good 
land, relatively as well located on the west 
side of the bay, can be bought for $250 to 
$400 per acre. One of the principal causes 
for this remarkable difference in values, in 
the opinion of many citizens, is to be found 
in the cost of transportation. Single fares 
from Redwood City to San Francisco cost 
80 cents, and from San Mateo 60 cents, and 
monthly commutation tickets from $5 to $8; 
as against 15 cents single fares, and $3 com- 
mutation between Oakland and Berkeley. 
Population, business improvement, and rapid 
progress followed the lines of low fare and 
freight rates. 

That San Mateo county, under the influence 
of high fares, has been forced to the rear in 
the procession of progress, by which it is on 
all sides surrounded, cannot be controverted. 
With tlie coming of the electric road, now a 
certainty, for which a franchise was wisely 
granted by the Board of Supervisors, all this 
will be changed. The franchise calls for 20 
cents fare from Redwood City to San Fran- 
cisco, being just one-fourth the price now 
asked by the only means of transportation at 
the command of the people. This road has 
already crossed over the border and is push- 
ing its way to the interior of the county, 
and unlocks the gate which has heretofore 
barred the progress of the county, and gives 
it an even chance with its neighbors over the 
bay who have long had rapid and cheap com- 
munication with the metropolis. 



LAND AND LIVE-STOCK. 

As a matter of curiosity, we transcril)e for 
comparison some typical values of land and 
live-stock as fixed by M. A. Parkhurst, 
deputy assessor, in the year 1853, when this 
county was a municipal district of San Fran- 
cisco. 

The San Miguel rancho, containing 4,800 
acres, was assessed to Jose Jesus de Noe at 
$10 per acre; total $48,000. Fifty vara lots 
on the same tract near the mission were as- 
sessed at §125 each. This grant was near 
the mission and the owner once wrote a de- 
scription of the animals he met in traveling 
from Yerba Buena to his ranch. 

The Sunny Side tract, containing 160 acres, 
recently sold by Senator Stanford for $300,- 
000, and the Crocker tract of 166 acres, that 
sold for a like amount, was a part of the Noe 
ranch. At the rate fixed for these two par- 
cels, viz., $1,885 per acre, the whole tract 
would bring 5^10,000,000. That portion 
nearer the mission is, of course, worth i;;iu;li 
more. Twenty millions of dollars would be 
short of the actual value of what Parkhurst 
\alued, in 1853, for $48,000. Don Jose 
Jesus de Noe would have made $1,000,000 a 
year had he held his vast estate until to-day. 

The rancho Laguna de Merced, 2,170 
acres, was assessed to the heirs of Francisco 
de Haro for $6 per acre— 113,020. 

The Portrero rancho, south of San Francisco, 
was assessed at $10 per acre. 

The Red House, old Pavilion House, was 
assessed to D. C. Broderick for $3,000. 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



The pioneer race-course and improvements 
was assessed at 8", 000. 

Donna Carmen, widow of C. Berual, was 
assessed for 4,800 acres of land at $10 per 
acre— $48,000. 

The Pnlgas rancho was assessed — up land 
$25 per acre, hill land $6, and swamp land at 
the rate of five cents per acre. From this it 
will be seen that farming land in this neigh- 
borhood was valued twice as high as land 
near the city, which is now worth nearly one 
hundred times more. 

The Sachez rancho, now Millbrae, was as- 
sessed at $4 per acre. 

D. W. M. Howard, of Santa Mateo, was as- 
sessed for eighty acres of up land at §20 per 
acre and 3,720 acres of hill land at $4 per 
acre; house and improvements, at $5,000. 

Mr. Macondray, adjoining Howard, was 
assessed for 100 acres of up land at §25 per 
acre, and 160 acres of hill land at $4 per acre; 
house and fixtures, $7,500. 

T. G. Phelps, 150 acres up land at $20 per 
per acre; fifty acres of hill land at $4 per 
acre. 

John Greer, 4,840 acres El Corte de Ma- 
dera rancho, $6 per acre — §29,040. 

Captain Harrington, 2,000 acres Canada de 
Eaymundo rancho, at $2 per acre — $4,000. 

Colonel Jack Hays, Mountain Home ranch, 
2,000 acres at $5 per acre— $10,000. 

The Angel o house — real estate, 100 acres, 
at §25 per acre; 100 acres at $4 per acre; 
house and improvements, $5,3t)0; two yoke 



of cattle, $300; fifty hogs, $1,750; 100 pigs, 
§600, and poultry $100. This was the site 
of the present town of Belmont. It was 
afterward selected as the county-seat by a 
ring of roughs who tried to run county af- 
fairs. An investigation by the courts upset 
their calculations. 

Dennis Martin, 2,400 acres of land near 
Searsville, at $5 per acre, $12,000; eight yoke 
of oxen, at §150 per yoke; four cows, $40 
each; 150 head of cattle, §25 apiece; twelve 
saddle-horses, $70 each; 130 sheep at $4 per 
head; six hogs, $10 each; one wagon §150; 
one sawmill, §10,000. Total §33,720. 

George Thatcher, store and stock in Red- 
wood City, $2,000. 

Captain Voiget, real estate (the present 
Polhemus place, near Menlo Park) 320 acres, 
at $20 per acre— §6,400. 

Haskell & Woods, 2,068 acres of land, 
now Menlo park, at $25 per acre. 

The Purisima rancho, on the coast, was 
assessed at $2 per acre. 

The Miramontez ranch was valued at $3 
per acre. 

Tiburcio Vasquez was assessed for 4,800 
acres on the coast, at §3 per acre. 

The San Gregorio rancho of four leagues 
was assessed to Francisco Casanuevo for the 
lump sum of §4,000— $1,000 a league. 

Tripp & Parkhurst were assessed for $2,- 
500 for personal property — the stock and 
fixtures of their store. 



SAN MATEO COUNTT. 



217 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE LELAND STANFORD, JUNIOK, UNIVERSITY 

t generous education should be the birth- 
right of every man and woman in 
America." 
Such is tiie noble motto of this young uni- 
versity. Such, in fact, has been the unform- 
ulated and once-thonght-to- be- visionary motto 
of a large portion of the people of the United 
States. Will the generous aspiration ever 
be actually realized? Let us hope so! 

Although the various buildings of the 
Stanford University are located Just over the 
line, in Santa Clara county, a considerable 
portion of the land endowment of the institu- 
tion is in San Mateo county. 

FOUNDING OF THE UNIVEIfSITY. 

The founding at Palo Alto of "a university 
for both sexes, with the colleges, schools, 
seminaries of learning, mechanical institutes, 
museums, galleries of art, and all other 
things necessary and appropriate to a uni- 
versity of high degree," was determined upon 
by Leland Stanford and Jane Lathrop Stan- 
ford, in 1884. In March, 1885, the Legis- 
lature of California passed an act providing 
for the administration of trust funds in con- 
nection with institutions of learning. No- 
vember 14, 1885, the grant of endowment 
■was publicly made in accordance with this 
Act, and on the same day the board of trus- 
tees held its first meeting in San Francisco. 

The work of construction was at once be- 
gun, and the corner-stone laid, May 14, 1887, 



the nineteenth anniversary of the birth of 
Leland Stanfoi'd, Junior, deceased, after 
whom the proposed institution was named. 
The university was formally opened to 
students October 1, 1891. 

The idea of the university, in the words of 
its founders, "came directly from our son 
and only child, Leland; and in the belief that 
had he been spared to advise as to the dispo- 
sition of our estate, he would have desired 
the devotion of a large portion thereof to 
this purpose; we will, that for all time to 
come, the institution hereby founded, shall 
bear his name and shall be known as the 
Leland Stanford, Junior, University." 

ITS OBJECTS. 

The object of the university, as stated in its 
charter, is "to qualify students for personal 
success and direct usefulness in life," and its 
purposes to promote the public welfare by 
exercising an influence in behalf of humanity 
and civilization, teaching the blessings of 
liberty, regulated by law, and inculcating love 
and reverence for the great principles of 
government as derived from the inalienable 
rights of man to life, liberty and the pursuit 
of happiness. 

ENDOWMENT. 

The property conveyed to the university in 
addition to the Palo Alto estate of 8,400 
acres, partly lowland and partly rising into 
the foot-hills of the Santa Cruz range, con- 
sists of the Vina estate in Tehama county, of 
55,000 acres, of which about 4,000 acres are 



SAN MATEO COUNTY. 



planted in vines; and the Gridley estate, in 
Butte county, of 22,000 acres, devoted mainly 
to tbe raising of wheat. 

BUILDINGS. 

In arranging the buildings and grounds, 
the plan has been to conform them to the 
peculiar climatic conditions of California, and 
to provide for indefinite expansion without 
crowding or distortion. A series of quad- 
rano-les, to be erected as tlie needs of the uni- 
versity demand, will furnish facilities for all 
general university work. Surrounding these 
will be various detached buildings for miscel- 
laneous purposes and the university town, 
with carefully laid-out streets and grounds. 
The buildings are of a buff sandstone, some- 
what varied in color. The stone-work is of 
broken ashlar, with a rough face, and the 
roofs are covered with red tile. The archi- 
tectural motif is to be found in the old 
Spanish missions of California. 

THE HOPKINS LABORATORY OF NATURAL 
HISTORY. 

In order to carry on the biological work of 
this institution, a seaside laboratory of natural 
history has been founded as a branch of the 
university, by the liberality of Mr. Timothy 
Hopkins, of San Francisco. The laboratory 
is located on Foin Anion, a headland pro- 
jecting into the sea near the town of Facific 
Grove, on the bay of Monterey. It will be 
provided with aquaria and with all apparatus 
necessary for carrying on studies in the 
structure, development and life history of 



marine animals and plants, and will be open 
during the summer vacation of each year to 
naturalists wishing to carry on original inves- 
tigations, and to students and teachers who 
desire to make themselves familiar with 
methods of study in marine zoology and bot- 
any. The work of the laboratory will be un- 
der the general direction of Frofessors Gil- 
bert, Jenkins and Campbell, the committee 
of the university faculty in charge. The 
general purpose of the laboratory is similar 
to that of the marine zo5logical laboratory at 
Wood's Holl, Massachusetts, and to the sea- 
side and marine laboratories established by 
Johns Hopkins University at different places 
along the Atlantic coast. The bay of Mon- 
terey is peculiarly favorable for investigations 
of the kind contemplated, being exceedingly 
rich with life; and the life history of the 
peculiar animals and plants of the Facific 
coast has for the most part received little 
study from naturalists. 

[SCIENTIFIC COLLECTIONS. 

It is intended to bring together in the 
miieenm of the university a full representa- 
tion of the natural history and mineral prod- 
ucts of California, collections of all books, 
pamphlets, photographs and maps, bearing 
upon the early history of the West, and full 
collections of Indian antiquities and illustra- 
tions of aboriginal life. 



The general management and control of 
the institution is vested \n a board of twenty- 



8AJ^ MATEO OOUNTr. 



219 



four trustees, chosen for life, of whom fifteen 
constitute a quorum, their names being: 
James Mc M. Shatter, John Boggs, Charles 
Goodall, T. B. MoFarland, Alfred L. Tubbs, 
Isaac S. Belcher, Francis E. Spencer, John 
Q. Brown, Charles F. Crocker, George E. 
Gray, Timothy Hopkins, Nathan W. Spald- 
ing, Henry L. Dodge, Mathew P. Deady, 
Irving M. Scott, William M. Stewart, Harvey 
W. Harkness, Stephen J. Field, Horace 
Davis, Horatio Stebbins, D. D., Joseph D. 
Grant, Leon Sloss, S. F. Leib, Edward R. 
Taylor; Herbert C. Nash, secretary. 

The charter provides that the founders, 
Leland Stanford and Jane Lathi'op Stanford, 
during their lives shall "perform all the 
duties and exercise all the powers and privi- 
leges enjoined upon and vested in the trus- 
tees." 

FACULTY AND COUNCIL. 

The faculty consists of the president, pro- 
fessors, associate professors, assistant profess- 
ors and instructors aided by non-resident 
lecturers, assistants and other officers. 

RELIGIOUS SERVICES. 

Religious instrnction is provided in apcord- 
ance with the provision of the charter, which 
prohibits sectarian instruction, but requires 
the teaching of "the immortality of tliesoul, 
the existence of an all -wise and benevolent 
Creator, and that obedience to His laws is the 
highest duty of man." 

ADMISSION AND GRADUATION. 

Candidates for admission must be at least 
sixteen years of age. They must present 



certificates of good moral character, and, if 
from other colleges or universities, must 
bring certificates of honorable dismissal. 

FACULTY OF THE UNIVERSITY. 

David Starr Jordan, LL. D., president, 
assisted by over sixty professors, including 
several eminent non-resident professors and 
lecturers. Among the latter are Hon. 
Andrew D. White, professor of European 
history; Jacob G. Schurman, president of 
Cornell University, non-resident lecturer on 
ethics, and others. 

STUDENTS. 

The register for 1891-'92 (to June, '92) 
shows the following summaries: 
By classes: 

Graduates 37 

Undergraduates 376 

Special and partial students 146 

Total (men, 417; women, 142)... 559 
These include natives of thirty States, 
several Territories, and also Canada, England, 
Mexico, Ireland, Hawaiian Islands, Japan, 
France, Germany and the Netherlands. 

During the last half of the present year, 
1892, the number of students in attendance 
is as follows: 

Young men 499 

Young women . ., 212 

Total .711 

^RS. ELIZABETH L. BACON, one 

of the earliest residents of Bear Val- 
ley, in San Benito county, located 
here in 1866. 



220 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



Mrs. Bacon is a native of Oliio, having 
been born in that State, November 23, 1827. 
When she was about three years of age her 
parents emigrated to Illinois, where she spent 
her girlhood, and in 1846 married Philip 
Shell, at Gilead, Calhoim county, Illinois. 
In 1851 the young couple came overland to 
Oreu;on, where they engaged in farming near 
Salem, and there Mr. Shell died in 1854. 
The following are their children: Deborah, 
wife of Henry Melendy, of Bear Valley; 
John, of Bear Valley was born May 3, 1848, 
married and died, leaving a son, John, who 
was adopted and reared by his grandmother, 
the subject of this sketch; Snsan was born in 
Salem, Oregon, June 14, 1854. 

In 1856 Mrs. Shell married Myron A. 
Bacon, a California pioneer of 1849, who 
came across the plains with an ox team. He 
engaged in mining, farming and dealt in 
stock-raising. He returned to Illinois for a 
brief time, but returned to California via the 
isthmus, and upon his return to California 
pursued farming and fruit culture until his 
death. He was born in Ohio, January 25, 
1821, and died at San Jose in 1890. By this 
marriage Mrs. Bacon has three sons and one 
daughter, namely: Oliver F., a farmer of 
Bear Valley, born October 13, 1856; Horace 
G., born March 7, 1864; Benjamin, born 
December 12, 1866, and Mary, now Mrs. 
David Churchill of Sumner, Kern county, 
California, born August 10, 1858. All the 
children reside in California. 

Horace G. Bacon is by profession a school 
teacher. He completed his studies at the 
State Normal School at San Jose, from which 
institution he graduated in December, 1885. 
Upon graduating he embraced teaching as a 
profession, and taught one year in Tulare 
county, three years in (Contra Costa county, 
and two years in San Benito county. He 



married at Alamo, in Contra Costa county, 
December 9, 1891, Miss Nettie, daughter of 
George and Annie (Truby) Smith. Mrs. 
Bacon was born at Alamo, December 9, 1869. 
The estate of our subject comprises 320 
acres of titled land, fertile and nicely lo- 
cated at the foot of Bear valley. 



tAPTAIN I. G. MESSEC is a native of 
Macon, Georgia, and a California pio- 
neer of 1849, whc came to the State 
from Texas, via El Paso and Yuma. He was 
a soldier of the Mexican war, fought under 
General Taylor, and was one of the noted 
brigade of Texas Rangers. 

Upon his arrival in California he engaged 
in mining and also owned and operated, on a 
large scale, pack trains into the mining 
regions of Humboldt and Trinity counties. 
During the year ofl858-'59 he accomplished 
the transfer of the Trinity and Mad river, 
Humboldt and Elk river Indians to the Round 
Valley Reservation, which he had been com- 
missioned to do by the governor of Cali- 
fornia. This was not successfully accom- 
plished without some lighting, but finally he 
located about 400 of them. 

In 1860-'61 he served as Sheriff of Trinity 
county. After this he engaged in mining, 
on a large scale, at Virginia City, Nevada. 
He then spent four years in San Francisco, 
where he figured prominently in local politics 
and served on a commission that opened new 
Montgomery street. In the development of 
the great Paniment mines he worked a force 
of over 500 men, at an expenditure of about 
$2,000,000. The years 1878 and 1879 found 
him at Bodie, California. He also was Notary 
Public, and in 1882 to 1886 was Sergeant-at- 
Arras of the California State Senate. 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



He came to the Santa Clara valley, Cali- 
fornia, in 1880, and has since been engaged 
in stock-raising on his Lone Tree ranch, 
which is divided by the Santa Clara and San 
Benito county lines. 

Captain Messec married Miss Lucy J. Kel- 
logg in 1856, a most estimable lady. No 
man in central and northern California is 
more favorably known or has a wider circle 
of friends than the venerable pioneer of 1849, 
our subject. Captain Messec. 



fOHN REYNOLDS, a successful agricult- 
urist and stock-raiser and esteemed citi- 
zen of Priest Valley, Monterey county, 
California, is a native of London, England, 
born November 24, 1840. He left the home 
of his birth and came to America when quite 
young. His boyhood and youth were spent 
in Oneida county. New York, on a farm 
near the city of Eome. At about fifteen 
years of age he went to Michigan and com- 
menced work for the Michigan Central Rail- 
road Company, at Grass Lake, Jackson 
county, where he remained until the break- 
ing out of the late war. 

In 1862 Mr. Reynolds volunteered his 
service and was mustered into Company F, 
Seventeenth Michigan Lifantry, at Detroit, 
being immediately sent to the front. He 
participated in the battles of South Mount- 
ain the following September, and there re- 
ceived a gunshot in the left leg, and soon 
after, while lying on the field of battle, was 
wounded in the left side by a bursting shell. 
On account of disability, he was honorably 
discharged, in January, 1863, and has since 
been granted a pension. 

Returning to Michigan, Mr. Reynolds re. 
sumed his connection with the service of the 



Michigan Central Railroad Company, acting 
as station and ticket agent at Grass Lake 
He came to California in April, 1868, via 
Panama, and the following May, through 
the agency of a friend, located on his present 
estate in Priest Valley, being among the 
first in the valley to make permanent settle- 
ment. 

Mr. Reynolds married, in Washtenaw 
county, Michigan^ Miss Ada H., daughter of 
John W. Green, a Michigan pioneer. Of 
their four children, Arthur E. is the first 
white child born in Priest Valley, the date of 
his birth occurring July 29, 1870. Mr. 
Reynolds is wide and favorably known in 
San Benito and Monterey counties as a dis- 
creet and prosperous business man. 

Jj^ E. SHORE, a venerable citizen of San 
^^k Benito county, and a California pio- 
^1^® neer, was born in Washington county, 
Missouri, November 6, 1827. In 1850 he 
came to California, making the journey 
through New Mexico and from San Diego 
coming north into the mining districts. He 
spent about ten years in placer mining. In 
1861 he located in Santa Clara county, near 
Mountain View, and made that place his 
home until 1870. That year he came to San 
Benito county, bought a ranch of McClay & 
Springer, and on this place is probably set- 
tled for life. 

Mr. Shore is one of the survivors of the 
Mexican war. He was under General Price, 
served eighteen months, was honorably dis- 
charged, and now draws a pension. 

August 19, 1863, Mr. Shore was married 
in Santa Clara county, to Miss Martha Janes, 
daughter of William Janes, deceased. She 
was a native of Missouri and was a most es- 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



timable woman. Her death occurred March 
20, 1890. Following are the names of their 
children: Grace, wife of William Brown of 
San Felipe; Frank E., a resident of Hollister; 
Ruth, wife ol' William Beggs, now of Ann 
Arbor, Michigan; George W., of Hollister; 
Itha, at home; Fred, of San Jose; Ernest D., 
at home. 

Mr. Shore has served on the Board of Su 
pervisors of San Benito county and as one of 
the Trustees of his school district. 



i^ENRY MELENDY came from Chicago, 
^ Illinois, to California in 1864, and in 
^(11865 settled in Bear Valley, San Benito 
county, being the iirst settler of the valley. 
Here he has prospered and acquired a large 
tract of fine land, by pre-emption and purchase, 
becoming the owner of 1,240 acres. 

Mr. Melendy was born in Eagle, Waukesha 
county, Wisconsin, June 21, 1848, son of 
Daniel F. and Eunice S. (Rockwood) Melendy, 
natives of Vermont. Daniel F. Melendy was 
one of the pioneer farmers of Waukesha 
county. He lived on Melendy's Prairie, Eagle 
Township, nntil his death; his widow moved 
to Chicago, where she still lives, having 
reached an advanced agb. Henry is the 
youngest of their three children. Of the 
others be it recorded that Cephas J., a mem- 
ber of the Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer 
Infantry, died in 1862; and that Ellen R. is 
married and lives in Chicago. 

Mr. Melendy was married April 7, 1868, 
to Miss Deborah Shell, at San Juan. She was 
born in Oregon, December 16, 1851, daugh- 
ter of Philip and Elizabeth Shell, the latter 
being now Mrs. Bacon, of Bear vallej', of 
whom mention is made elsewhere in this 
work. Their seven children are as follows: 



George, born January 31, 1869; Daniel, De- 
cember 21, 1871; Ella, August 26, 1876; 
Thomas, November 24, 1878; Lucretia, Sep- 
tember 15, 1881; Deborah, October 17, 1886; 
and Henry, July 2, 1888. 



tLLEN LEONARD, a prominent figure 
in the business circles of San Benito, is 
well known throughout this part of Sau 
Benito county, and it is litting that some per- 
sonal mention be made of him on the pages 
of this work. 

Mr. Leonard was born at Mechanicsburg, 
thirteen miles east of Springfield, Illinois. 
He came to California in 1860, to take a 
position under J. S. Short, Indian Agent in 
the northern part of the State, who had re- 
ceived his appointment from Abraham Lin- 
coln. Mr. Leonard, however, remained there 
only a short time. Going to lone, Amador 
county, he successfully engaged in copper 
mining two years. He then went to Virginia 
City, Nevada, and turned his attention to 
silver mining, but this expedition resulted in 
financial loss. In 1868 he went to work for 
the Central Pacific Railroad Company, as 
foreman of teams, and followed railroading 
until 1872. That year he came to San Benito 
county, purchased a store at San Benito, and 
engaged in business for himself, being still 
engaged in merchandising here and doing an 
extensive business. He also owns and con- 
ducts a hotel, blacksmith shop, meat market, 
etc., and for several years has been Postmaster 
of San Benito. He is also engaged in farm- 
ing and stock-raising and owns a fine tract 
of land. He has served two years as Super- 
visor and two years as Chairman of Board of 
Supervisors of san Benito county. 

Mr. Leonard was married April 15, 1872, 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES, 



323 



to Miss Bell Morton. They have had eight 
children, viz.: frank M., Belle E. (deceased), 
Mollie, Allen, Ilarrj, Edna, Jacob and Her- 
man J. 

-^g^^>^-». ~ 

«DWIN MOOKE, a leading agricultur- 
alist of San Benito connty, a pioneer of 
California, and for many years a resi- 
dent of Paicines, is a native of Clinton 
county, New York, born in Beekmantown, 
December 13, 1826. 

His father, Charles B. Moore, a farmer by 
occupation, became one of the pioneers of 
Michigan, locating in Washtenaw county as 
early as 1834. Later, he removed to Eaton 
connty, same State, where he passed the rest 
of his life, and died, in 1861. He had a family 
of seven children, of whom Edwin was the 
first born. 

In 1852 Mr. Moore left Lansing, Michigan, 
and came across the plains, via the Carson 
route, to California, reaching Placerville that 
same year. He spent about six years in the 
mines, and then turned his attention to ranch- 
ing, in the pursuance of which he lived at 
Tomales, Marin county, about eight years. 
He spent sixteen years in Sonoma county, 
and in 1883 located the farm he now occu- 
pies, which is one of the best farming and 
stock ranches in his section of the country. 
Mr. Moore has been twice married. At 
Grand Rapids, Michigan, August 29, 1846, 
he wedded Catliarine Salter, a most estim- 
able woman in every respect. She was born 
March 5, 1827, and died December 7, 1873. 
Following are the names of her children: 
Charles B., born November 7, 1846; Betsey 
E., wife of G. W. Qriffeth, Ventura county, 
California, was born January 18, 1850; Ed- 
win J., born September 21, 1851, died in 



Michigan, October 20, 1854; and Mary E., 
born November 18, 1864. September 13, 
1874, Mr. Moore married Miss Eliza Spald- 
ing, of Petaluma, Sonoma connty, California. 
She is a native of Westminster, Massachu- 
setts, born June 17, 1838, and is a lady of 
intellectual culture and domestic grace. Mr. 
and Mrs. Moore have four children, viz.: 
Phffibe L., born January 2, 1876; George 
W., April 24, 1877; Edwin S., May 21, 
1879; and Arthur T., October 10, 1880. 
. The Moore home circle is a model one. 
Here good literature and music abound, and 
harniony of social sentiment prevails. 

I^^ORACE GOULD, an eminently success- 
IHll ^"^ agriculturist of San Benito county, 
'^M was born in the town of Chester, Wind- 
hnm county, Vermont, October 12, 1837. He 
*as a son of Sylvester Gould, deceased, a 
native of the same State, as was likewise his 
inother, Hannah Mitchell. Mr. and Mrs. 
Gould, Sr., were pioneers of Knox county, 
near Yates City, Illinois, where our subject 
spent his boyhood and youth. 

Mr. Gould left home, when a young man 
and learned the carpenter's trade, at Leaven- 
worth, Kansas, and came to California in 
1869, for his health. Until Mr. Gould came 
to Los Angeles he traveled through the State, 
but upon reaching this city he found employ- 
ment with Perry & Woodworth, who were at 
that time extensive builders and contractors. 
Upon the death of his father, Mr. Gould 
returned home and remained until 1874, 
when, August 1 of that year, he returned to 
California and purchased his present home, 
near Paicines, of George Butterfield. On this 
farm he has made extensive improvements, in- 
creasing it, until he now is the proud owner 



MONTEREY, SAJX BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



of 808 acres of fertile grain producing and 
sheep-ranging land. 

Mr. Gould married, in the fall of 1870, 
Miss Hannah A., a daughter of Orson Gard, 
deceased, a farmer of Yates City, Illinois. 
Mr. and Mrs. Gould have seven children, 
namely: Charles O., John R., Franklin H. 
and Nellie H. (twins); Edwin O., Ella L. and 
Etta B. 

Mr. Gould is a man of great energy, who 
takes a commendable interest in the local 
affairs of his town and county and is one of 
the Trustees of bis school district. 



tON. S. N. LAUGHLIN, the efficient 
manacrer of the warehouse, steamship 
and railroad interests at Moss landing, 
in Monterey county, is a native of Conneaut, 
Ohio, where be was born, March 28, 1844, a 
son of Hugh and Mary Laugblin, of that 
place. His early days were given to labor 
upon his parents' farm, and to study. At the 
awe of eighteen he left the farm and home 
and engaged in teaching at Poughkeepsie, 
New York, where he remained one year. 
From there he went to New Haven, Con- 
necticut, where he tanght three years. 

In 1866 he came to California, where he 
continued teaching at San Jose and San Fran- 
cisco for about four years. Owing to im- 
paired health, be q_uit teaching and accepted 
a situation as accountant in a San Francisco 
shipping and commission house, which he re- 
tained for four years. 

In September, 1871, he was married to 
Miss Hattie J. Potter, a daughter of Kiley 
Potter, a merchant of Springfield, Pennsyl- 
vania. The result of this union has been 
three children, namely: Mabel Hattie, Mary 
Adella and Lester Sarou. 



In 1874 he came to Monterey county, and 
ever since has been continuously one of that 
county's most energetic and enterprising 
business men. 

In 1884 he was given, by acclamation, the 
Republican nomination for the State Assem- 
bly, and was elected by the largest majority 
ever given a legislative candidate in Monterey 
county. He proved himself a valuable repre- 
sentative; served as chairman of an important 
standing committee, and labored zealously for 
the best interests of his county and State. 
He was urged to accept a renomination for 
the Assembly, or a nomination for the State 
Senate, but owing to a continuous pressure 
of business matters he declined to do so. 

Mr. Laugblin is a gentleman of large busi- 
ness attainments. He is self-reliant, courteous 
and universally popular. He owns about 80,- 
000 acres of land in Santa Fe county. New 
Mexico, and about 800 acres in Monterey 
county, California. 

fOSEPH GOMEZ is well known in and 
about Castroville as an upright, thrifty 
and prosperous farmer. He is a native 
of Flores Isle, one of the Azores, lying off 
the coast of Portugal. He was there born, 
March 17, 1850. In 1869 he came to Cali- 
fornia and settled in the Salinas valley, where 
he has since remained. For years, Mr. Go- 
mez has been the trusted employe of the P. 
C. S. S. C, as foreman of their extensive 
warehouses and wharf, at Moss landing. In 
addition to bis duties in this connection, our 
subject is the owner of a fine ranch of 124 
acres, near Moss landing- 
Mr. Gomez was married, April 25, 1881, 
to Miss Mary Hayes, a native of Castroville, 
born January 1, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Gomez 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



have one daughter, Annie, born December 
10, 1882. Both our subject and his esti- 
mable wife are highly respected citizens of 
Oastroviile. 



fS. SWANK, Justice of the Peace and a 
Notary Public, Watsonville, California, 
® was born in Richland county, Ohio, 
March 25, 1835. His father, Henry Swank, 
was a schoolmate of President Buchanan, 
and for many years was a successful farmer 
in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. He went 
to Ohio in 1817, and built a log cabin, 
going ten miles to get help. He died in 
1876, at the advanced age of eighty-six 
years. He had twelve children, eleven of 
whom lived to be grown. The subject of 
this sketch was next to the youngest. He 
was educated at Marietta College, and taught 
school when seventeen years old. At the age 
of twenty he started out in life for himself, 
teaching school at Winchester, Yan Buren 
county, Iowa. In 1856 he cast his first vote, 
for James Buchanan for President. While 
in Iowa he spent some time working at the 
carpenter's trade. In 1858 he started for 
California. He left New York city on board 
the North Star, September 20, 1858, and 
from Panama he sailed on the John L. 
Stephens, landing in San Francisco, October 
17, 1858. Then, in company with J. C. Lee 
and his younger brother, he went on foot to 
San Jose. He slept in a straw stack to save 
the little money he had. From San Jose he 
continued his way on foot to the mines, 200 
miles from San Jose. Mr. Swank followed 
mining and prospecting with varying suc- 
cess, till 1863, when he started back east, via 
Nicaragua. He first paid a visit to his old 
home in Ohio, and then went to Iowa, 



where he remained a year with his wife and 
two children. In 1864 he brought them to 
California, coming across the plains with 
mule teams. They left Omaha April 27, and 
and reached Virginia City June 26, after 
lifty-nine days of travel, which was a remark- 
ably quick trip. Two months later they 
came across the mountains to Railroad Flat, 
Calaveras county, where he mined till 1866. 
Then he and his brother discovered the 
Petticoat quartz mine, and a year afterward 
they sold it for |10,000. Then he invested 
in the sheep business, taught school for some 
time, and for four years was boss carpenter. 
At Railroad Flat he was Justice of the Peace 
two terms, and in Murphy's township three 
terms; was also Deputy Assessor and a 
Notary Public. In 1888 he resigned, came 
to Watsonville, and went to carpentering. 
In May, 1890, he was appointed Justice of 
the Peace, and in November was elected for 
a term of two years, which office he now Ulls. 

Mr. Swank was married September 6, 
1856, to Miss Mary Calhoun. They have 
seven children, namely: Willard B; Eliza- 
beth E., vpife of Dr. C. L. Butterfield, of 
Gilroy; John F; George E., deceased; Nellie 
and Henry. 

Socially, he is an I. O. O. F. and an A. O. 
U. W. He still is largely interested in the 
mines. His residence is on Foni-th and Rod- 
riguez streets, Watsonville. 



fIDNEY H. SMITH, M. D., of Mon- 
terey, is a native of Australia, born 
March 18, 1855, son of Alexander 
Smith, a California pioneer of 1849, of En- 
glish birth. He lived in San Francisco and 
manufactured the first sash, doors and blinds 
in the city. With the exception of about four 



226 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



years spent in Australia he has been and still 
is a resident of San Francisco. He has en- 
gaged actively in the exploration of mines 
and done some successful mining in Cali- 
fornia. 

The subject of this sketcli is the first born 
of a family of eight children, six of whom 
survive. Dr. Smith was educated in the 
public schools of San Francisco and pursued 
his medical studiesat the Hahnemann Homeo- 
pathic Medical College of San Francisco, 
graduating in 1885. He practiced his pro- 
fession in that city until 1889, when he came 
to Monterey, where he has become a fixture, 
professionally, civilly and socially. He con- 
trols a growing practice and is the health 
officer of the city, and is a member of the 
Board of School Trustees. Another promi- 
nent position that he holds is that of Secretary 
of the Monterey Electric Light and Develop- 
ment Company. 



JSRAEL MYLAR, deceased, one of the 
California pioneers of 1850, was born in 
^ Kentucky, came to this State from Mis- 
souri, but not being exactly pleased with the 
country he returned to his home in a very 
short time; but as many of the other pioneers 
were again making the trip, in 1852, Mr. 
Mylar a second time made the journey, this 
time bringing with him his wife and one 
son, Enoch. After arrival he engaged in 
mining until 1855, when he located in Mon- 
terey county, and engaged in farming, he 
lived many years at San Juan, in San Benito 
county. Israel Mylar lived and died at San 
Juan, the latter event occurring April 29, 
1884, when he was sixty-eight years of age. 
The maiden name of his wife was Mary Wal- 
ters, a native of Ohio, who died May 15, 



1866. Four children were born to them, of 
whom Enoch, who came to California with 
his parents was the eldest. He was born in 
Illinois, January 6, 1841. After his birth 
his parents removed to Gentry county, Mis- 
souri, about forty miles east of St. Joseph, 
when Enoch was quite young. He was about 
eleven years of age when the trip was made 
to the " Golden State," and he grew up in 
the State of his adoption, where he received 
his education. His early life was spent at 
San Juan. He now owns a fine farm of 280 
acres, near Mulberry post office, San Benito 
county, which he located in 1875. 

May 15, 1866, Mr. Mylar married Miss 
Lucretia, a daughter of Benjamin Hames. 
She was born in Chili, South America, and 
her mother, Carmen Laing, was also a native 
of the same country, and of English descent. 
The father of Mi-s. Mylar was a native of 
Rochester, New York. Both he and his wife 
lived many years in Santa Crnz county. 

Eight children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Enoch Mylar, namely: Hattie, Walter, 
Eva, Carmen, Estella, Lola, Lester and Clyde. 
Mr. Mylar is highly esteemed and respected 
by all who have the honor of his acquaint- 
ance. 



fINCINNATUS MORRISON, a repre- 
sentative California pioneer and a worthy 
citizen of San Benito county, was born 
in Marion county, Indiana, May 22, 1826.' 
His father, Ephraim Morrison, an early set- 
tler of Louisa county, Iowa, lived on the 
Mississippi river between Muscatine and Bur- 
lington. Cincinnatus was reared on a farm. 
In 1850 he came across the plains to Califor- 
nia, making the journey via the Carson river 
route. At Green river he traded his team 
for horses, packed his effects thereon, and 



AND 8AN MATEO COUNTIES. 



walked the remainder of the distance to 
Ilangtown. lie farmed near old Mission San 
Jose until about 1873. In July of that year 
he located near Paicines, on the Tres Pinos 
creek, where he still lives under the shadow 
of his own vine and tig- tree. He has one of 
the prettiest and most fertile spots in all this 
section of the country. Grapes grow to per- 
fection here, and from them he produces the 
finest quality of wine. Here Mr. Morrison 
and his old friend and cousin, Henry J. Den- 
nis, enjoy life as men can only in the sunny 
quietude of a California valley home. 

Mr. Dennis is a native of Indiana, born 
April 23, 1828. He came to California as 
early as 1852, has seen much of pioneer life, 
and expects to spend his remaining years in 
this beautiful San Benito country. 

I^OBERT BURNS, who resides near Mul- 
^iM ''^""''J' ^'^'^ Benito county, California, is 
^C\ one of the most substantial farmers of 
the county. 

Mr. Burns is a native of Madison, a town 
on the Kennebec river in Somerset county, 
Maine, and was born May 18, 1839. His 
father, Samuel S. Burns, a farmer by occupa- 
tion, was of Scotch nativity and a relative of 
Robert Burns, the eminent Scotch poet. The 
subject of our sketch came to California in 
1860, making the journey via Panama, and 
landing at San Francisco. He located at San 
Juan, on the San Justo ranch, and in 1878 
went to San Luis Obispo, where he continued 
stock-raising, operating on the Huerhuero 
ranch. In 1884 he took up his abode on his 
present farm, 640 acres, on the San Benito 
creek. 

Mr. Burns was married in 1870, to Miss 
Florett Willington, a native of Maine. Their 



four children are: Willis L., Mabel E., Ger- 
trude and Herbert, — all living at present with 
their parents. 

||SAAC THEXTON has for eleven years 
|[| been the efficient manager of the Paicines 
■=?>■ ranch, and is well known throughout San 
Benito county as an enterprising citizen and 
thorough farmer. The Paicines ranch com 
prises about 9,000 acres, from 500 to 1,000 
acres of which are annually devoted to grain. 
Stock-raising is also a prominent feature of 
the place, from 800 to 1,000 head of stock, 
besides about 100 milch cows, being the aver- 
age number kept here. 

Mr. Thexton is a native of Scotland, born 
in Perthshire, April 2, 1849. He was reared 
a farmer, and has made this business his life 
work. Upon coming to California, about 
eighteen years ago, he came to Paicines 
rancho as manager. In his present position 
as manager of all the Grogan interests in San 
Benito county, he has exercised good judg- 
ment and displayed marked ability, conduct- 
ing the ranch in such a manner as to advance 
the interests of all concerned. 

He was married in 1885, to Miss Helen 
Crawford, daughter of Robert Crawford, of 
Glasgow, Scotland. Mrs. Thexton's untimely 
death occurred September 1, 1890. 

ILTON T. LITTLE, a member of 
the Board of Trustees of the city of 
Monterey, is the second son and 
fourth child of the lamented Milton Little, 
an esteemed pioneer of Monterey county, of 
whom mention is made on another page in 
his book. Our subject was born at Monte- 



228 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



rey, October 3, 1855, and has continuously 
made his native town his home all his life. 

Mr. Little was married September 16, 
1879, at Salinas, to Miss Nancy, a daughter 
of James and Margaret (Childres) Davis, 
natives of Kentucky and Virginia. Mrs. 
Little was born at Leon, Iowa, April 19, 
1858. She came to California with her par- 
ents in 1862, a!id has since made this State 
her home. Mrs. Little has borne her hus- 
band two children, Elsie and Frederick. 

Mr. Little is a man of sterling traits of 
character and modest bearing. There are few 
who hold to a greater degree the confidence 
and good will of the public than Mr. Little. 
He is now serving his second term as a 
member of the City Board of Trustees, and 
is a member of Monterey Lodge, No. 317, 
F. & A. M. 

fERY KEY. CAJETANUS SORREN- 
TINl was born in Rome, Italy, Au- 
gust 7, 1815. From his youth up he 
felt called to the ecclesiastical state, and hence 
devoted himself assiduously to study and prep- 
aration for the work before him. His early 
education was received in Naples, which he 
completed at the Jesuit College in Rome, 
where he graduated and was ordained priest 
on September 19, 1839. Shortly after his 
ordination he was appointed a professor of 
theology in the Seminary of Amolfi, Italy, 
which position he retained till he received 
instructions from the Propaganda to journey 
to Jerusalem in the capacity of a missionary. 
After three years of severe labor in this field, 
his impaired health compelled him to return 
to his native Rome, but not till he had left 
behind him a substantial memorial of his zeal 
and humanity in the construction of St. John's 



Hospital, which he founded and pushed to 
completion. 

After recruiting himself in " The Eternal 
City," he came to the United States, and was 
for a time assigned to important pastorates in 
the dioceses of Philadelphia and of New Or- 
leans. He also, in a religious capacity, visit- 
ed Peru and Chili and other countries on the 
west coast of South America, where his elo- 
quence as a pulpit orator attracted much at- 
tention. 

In 1877 Father Sorrentini came to Salinas, 
Monterey county, California, where he has 
since continued to reside. On his arrival 
here the outlook was not promising. There 
was no pastoral residence, only a small wooden 
church, and the flock had grown negligent. 
He set himself to work to restore matters, to 
renew and reform, and now the fruit of his 
labor is seen in a handsome brick church, 
with frescoed walls, containing a costly mar- 
ble altar; a parochial school, with accommo- 
dations for one hundred and fifty pupils; a 
comfortable residence for the pastor; and a 
spirit of unity and zeal in the congregation 
that is indeed refreshing. 

His golden jubilee, the fiftieth anniversary 
of his ordination, was celebrated in Salinas, 
September 19, 1889; on which occasion a vast 
concourse of the clergy and high dignitaries 
of the church assembled to felicitate the ven- 
erable priest. 



fA. McCROSKET, an early settler and 
an influential business man of Hol- 
® lister, has been a resident of California 
since 1859. His father, John McCroskey, 
was a native of Sevier county, Tennessee; 
was born about thirty miles east of Knoxville, 
March 17, 1798. He was a farmer by occupa- 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES, 



tion, a man of local influence, an! of great 
character. He was twice married, flrst to 
Miss Lucinda Ann, a daughter of lieuben 
Grant, a merchant of Shelby ville, Tennessee, 
who was for several years Sheriff of Mon- 
roe county, Tennessee. Mi"s. McCroskey 
was horu in 1799. She bore four children, 
of whom Mrs. M. A. McCray, widow of the 
late Daniel McCray, of Hollister, is the oldest. 
One other now survives, viz.: J. P. T. Mc- 
Croskey, of Washington. The mother died 
in 1833. In 1836 Mr. McCroskey mar- 
ried Mrs. Priscilla McCray, a daughter of 
Harry McCray, by whom he had six sons and 
two daughtei's, viz.: John A., subject; Penta- 
lope, Henry M., Robert C, Frances, Thomas 
H., Benjamin B., and Edgar H. Of these 
children our subject and Benjamin, who is 
located in Hollister, are the only ones in 
California. 

When our subject came to California he 
located at San Jose, and later lived at Gilroy 
and engaged in farming. Upon the forma- 
tion of the San Justo Homestead Association 
and the division of the Hollister Grant, he 
came to San Benito county, and was the orig- 
inal settler on 172 acres of farming land, 
adjoining the town site. Here he remained 
for about eight years, when he engaged in 
the warehouse and grain shipping business, 
which he followed about nine years. At that 
time he leased his property to the Hollister 
Warehouse Company and retired from busi- 
ness, and now devotes his time to the care of 
an eight-acre fruit farm, his home in the city 
of Hollister and other business affairs. 

His marriage occurred at Gilroy, in 1863, 
to Elizabeth F. Howkins. This lady has 
borne her husband six children, five living 
and one deceased. All the living children 
are residing at home. Two are teachers in 
the public schools of San Benito county. 



Our subject has been a successful business 
man, and has the confidence and esteem of 
the entire community. 



fEOKGE BROWN, Esq., a pioneer of 
California and a highly respected citi- 
zen of San Benito, San Benito county, 
was born in England, July 11, 1827. At the 
age of eleven years he left home, and from 
that time forward took care of himself. In 
1846, at the outbreak of the Mexican war he 
enlisted in the United States Navy at Boston, 
being assigned to the ship Cumberland, which 
ship joined the Gulf Squadron, commanded 
by Commodore Connor and afterward by 
Commodore Perry. He served all through 
the Mexican war, was present at the import- 
ant engagements at Vera Cruz, Tabasco, 
Tnspan and Alvarado, and was honorably dis 
charged at the termination of the war. In 
1850 he located at Fall River, Massachusetts, 
where he was employed in an iron mill until 
1854, when he came to California, making 
the journey from the East to San Francisco 
via the Nicaragua route. 

Upon his arrival in the Golden State Mr. 
Brown sought the gold mines of Shasta and 
Trinity counties, and was engaged in mining 
until 1865. That year he located in Watson- 
ville, Santa Cruz county, and turned his 
attention to farming, remaining there until 
1869. In November of that year he located 
in the Dry Lake district, San Benito county, 
on a fertile farm of 320 acres, his present 
home. Besides this property he also owns 
940 acres of untilled land. He has been 
prominently identified with the best interests 
of this county ever since he settled here. He 
held the ofiice of Justice of the Peace eight 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



years, and for a number of years was Post- 
master of San Benito. 

He was married, in 1853, to Miss Catharine 
Kennedy, in Fall River, Massachusetts. She 
was a native of England, and a woman of rare 
domestic qualities. She died, leaving five 
sons and one daughter, namely: John, Joseph, 
George W., P. F., Kate M. and W. K., all of 
whom now occupy honorable positions in 
life. 

Judge Brown, as he is familiarly called, 
has a wide circle of friends, and is highly 
esteemed throughout San Benito county. 

-^/^'^^^■^^^/^^ 

tj. COPLEY, a representative citizen, 
farmer and a pioneer of southern 
-,. ® Monterey county, is a native of Dela- 
ware county, New York, having been born in 
that county and State, at the town of Harpers- 
field, December 18, 1829. When only seven- 
teen our subject started out from home, locat- 
ing first in Knox county, Illinois. His next 
home was at Monroe City, Louisiana, on a 
plantation, where he remained one year. In 
1850 he came to California, by water, and 
upon his arrival went into the mines, on 
Feather river, in 1850. He next went to 
El Dorado county, where he spent eighteen 
years, in the mines, meeting with fair success. 
He then located in the southern portion of 
Monterey county, in Long valley. Later he 
removed to Peach Tree valley, but finally 
located in San Lucas, where he has made his 
home for so many years and developed one 
of the finest farms in the county. His Spring- 
valley farm comprises 640 acres of fine graz- 
ing and grain lands, which are well watered. 
Mr. Copley married, in El Dorado county, 
in June 27, 1852, Miss Hannah Nattrass, a 



daughter of Cuthberth Nattrass, a pioneer of 
1849. Mr. and Mrs. Copley have four sons, 
three daughters and twenty-seven grand- 
children. 

Our subject has held the position of Justice 
of the Peace for two years, and has served 
four years as a member of the County Board 
of Supervisors. 

®S:^ARiANO MALARIN, a nativeson of 
«W« the soil, having been born in Monte- 
^=5^^^ rey county, where he figured conspic- 
ously in the early history of California, is now 
a resident of Santa Clara county. 

Mr. Malarin's birth occurred in 1827, and 
he is a son of Juan Malariu, a native of Peru, 
of Italian parentage. Mr. Malarin, Sr., was 
a mariner, and as such came to Califoi-nia in 
1820 or 1822. As a reward for services ren- 
dered the Mexican Government he was made 
a Lieutenant in the Mexican Navy. In 1824 
he married Josefa Estrada and made Monte- 
rey his home. Although still going to sea, 
from that time on he took an active part in 
Mexican-California affairs, and is frequently 
mentioned in history as a participant in im- 
portant political matters. In 1833 he was 
Captain of the port and grantee of the Gua- 
dalupe rancho, and later was granted the Chua- 
lar rancho. In 1843 he was Justice and 
President of the Tribunal Superior. He died 
in 1849, when nearly sixty years of age, leav- 
ing a large and valuable estate and an honor- 
able name to his posterity. Of his ten children 
our subject was the second in order of birth. 

This last-named gentleman had the honor 
of being born in the government house at 
Monterey. When nine years of age he was 
sent to Oregon to attend an English school, 
said to have been established by the Hudson 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



Bay Company. Failing to find it as reported 
lie went to Lima, Peru, in Soutli America) 
where he received instruction in the Latin, 
French, Eu^Iish and Spanish languages, be- 
ing then eleven years of age. He remained 
in Lima until tlie death of his father, when 
he returned to Monterey and assumed charge 
of the family estate. That same year he was 
appointed Judge of the First Instance; in 
1850 and in 1851 he iield the office of City 
Assessor and Public Administrator. In 1858 
he was elected to the position of Supervisor, 
and represented his district in the State As- 
sembly, session of 1859 and 1860. 

Late in 1859 Mr. Malarin married Ysidora, 
a daughter of Francisco Pacheco, one of the 
influential and wealthy rancheios of those days 
in California. Mrs. Malarin was born on the 
Pacheco grant, at the present country resi- 
dence of the family, now the well-known 
Malarin ranch, near Hollister. The ranch 
now consists of 67,000 arcos of land, 8,000 of 
which are in San Benito county. Of the 4,000 
which are tillable, 3,000 acres are cultivated 
by tenants. The old adobe mansion, built 
by Don Francisco Pacheco and remodeled by 
Mr. Malarin, is one of the finest specimens 
of early-day architecture now to be found. 

Mr. and Mrs. Malarin have two daugliters, 
Mariana F. and Pauline E., the latter the 
wife of Dr. L. Fatjo. Mr. Malarin's home is 
in Santa Clara county, although he has ex- 
tensive interests in San Francisco and San 
Jose. The mother of our subject, Josefa 
Estrada, was born in California, as was also 
his grandmother, Arguello, and in this State 
the entire family is highly honored and es- 
teemed. 

He is president of the San Jose Safe De- 
posit Bank of Savings. He is a quiet, unob- 
trusive man of exalted character and Influence. 
Although now a resident of Santa Clara county 



he is largely interested in San Benito county, 
where he is one of the largest property own- 
ers. Mr. Malarin enjoys the esteem and 
respect of the entire community, where he is 
so honored a citizen. 

ILLIAM II. G ARM AN, one of the 
unique historical figures of Monterey 
county, may well be called one of the 
veritable " Path Finders," having come to 
the State when it was but little known. He 
was one of the members of the Joe Walker 
expedition that piloted General Fremont 
over the mountains to California. 

Mr. Garman is a native of Berks county, 
Pennsylvania, and was born within twelve 
miles of Daniel Boone's birthplace. His fa- 
ther, Philip Garman, was of German descent, 
a breeder by occupation, which calling he 
pursued in Harrisburg, in addition to carry- 
ing on a brewery and tannery on a larae 
scale. The maiden name of the mother of 
our subject was Elizabeth Hirsch, also a na- 
tive of Berks county. 

Our subject was educated in Harrisburg, 
and there learned the trade of a printer, 
which he followed for about eight years, a 
portion of the time in St. Louis, Missouri. 
He also was engaged with Lieutenant (now 
General) W. B. Franklin, in the survey of 
the breakwater at Michigan City, Indiana, 
and later at St. Joseph, Michigan. His next 
move was to Chicago, and from there he en- 
tered the service of the Government and 
fought in the Seminole war in Florida. The 
next account we have of him is in the Mex- 
ican war, where he served as Courier from 
Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fe, New Mexico. 
After the close of the war he joined Walker's 
expedition bound for California, and was one 



MONTEBEY, SAN BENITO. SANTA OBUZ, 



of the twelve men that explored the country 
and directed General Fremont's course 
through the Rocky mountains, westward. 
It was this party that first invaded the quiet 
precincts of Priest Valley, in 1850, although 
their stay was but a brief one at that time 
and the party pushed on, over the mountains 
into the valleys of the Tulare and Kern 
rivers. They found the valleys uninhabited, 
save by a priest and a small band of Indians, 
camped near the center. They failed to get 
the name of the good priest, but named the 
valley in which he resided, " Priest Valley," 
a name that has clung to it ever since. So 
impressed were Captain Walker and Mr. 
Garman with the beauty of the valley that 
they returned to it in 1854, and Mr. Gar- 
man made a location, where he has since re- 
sided, but Captain Walker did not remain 
for any length of time. These old-time ex- 
plorers built the first house in the valley, in 
1854, under a large oak tree near the present 
Palmer residence and but a short distance 
from Mr. Garman's present home. 

Ever since his residence in this valley Mr. 
Garman has led a quiet, inoffensive life, and 
is well known for his kindness of heart and 
other sterling traits of character. He never 
married, but a host of friends unite to pre- 
vent his feeling lonely in his declining years. 
His is a happy old age, for he has the con- 
sciousness of having led a good life and 
spent wisely the goods bestowed upon him 
by the all-wise Creator. 



fB. HUBBARD is a well-known and 
successful farmer of Hollister. He 
® was born in Sullivan county, Mis- 
souri, June 18, 1840. His father, James 
Hubbard, was a farmer and carpenter and a 



mason by trade and occupation, and his son 
■was born with the true instincts of a me- 
chanic and was successful in all his under- 
takings in that line. 

Our subject crossed the plains from his 
native State in 1864, and lived about four 
years at Middleton, twenty-five miles north 
of Boise City, Idaho. He then went to Ne- 
vada and carried on a freighting business 
until 1871, when he engaged in stock-raising, 
continuing therein until 1882, when he came 
to California and purchased his present home, 
near Hollister, on the Sau Benito creek 
where he owns and farms about 900 acres of 
the best land in San Benito county. 

Mr. Hubbard married, in Missouri, in 
1875, Miss Sarah R. Purdin, daughter of 
William Purdin, a farmer by occupation and 
an expert carpenter by trade. Mrs. Hubbard 
was born June 18, 1848, and she has borne 
her husband six children, namely: Harmon 
W., Virgil P., Eva, Lena, Ella and Edna. 

Mr. Hubbard is School Trustee of his dis- 
trict and an active member of long standing 
in the Christian Church. 

to DE RICK SHAW was born in Liver- 
pool, England, September 5, 1851. In 
1853 his father fitted out a vessel and, 
accompanied by his family, sailed for Aus- 
tralia, landing at Melbourne. He remained 
there for seven years. Then, in 1860, he 
went to New Zealand, where he sojourned 
eight years, after which, in 1868, he went to 
the Sandwich Islands. He remained there 
until 1869, when he landed in San Francisco. 
In 1872 he came from that city to Hollister, 
San Benito county. Here he founded the 
San Benito county newspaper, Advance, 
which paper is now owned by his two sons, 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



George and Albert D. Sluiw. The fatlier 
siibseqiiontly went back to England to visit 
bis native home, and on his return to Amer- 
ica was taken sick at Philadelpliia, Pennsyl- 
vania, and died in July, 1876. Roderick 
being the oldest of the children (there being 
eight sons and one daughter in the family) 
the care of his brothers and sister fell largely 
on him, and in a measure lie filled his fa- 
ther's place toward them. All are now mar- 
ried and settled in life except the youngest 
brother. 

Mr. Shaw, the subject of our sketch, 
served for several years as Deputy County 
Treasurer, and in 1885 was elected County 
Treasurer. In the fall of 1886 he was elected 
County Clerk, which office he is now filling 
with ability and honor, and to the entire sat- 
isfaction of all concerned. He is also prom- 
inent in social circles, being identified with 
the Masonic lodge, the I. O. O. F. and the 
A. O. U. "VV. Of the first two he is secre- 
tary, and of tiie last named, financier. 

July 29, 1876, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Harriet Mead, by whom he has 
three children, two sons and one daughter, — 
Richard, Ernest and Susie. His mother 
makes her home with him, and is now sixty- 
one years of age. 

Mr. Shaw is ranked with the pioneers of 
the county, and is respected by all who 
know him. Although his county is Demo- 
cratic, and he is a strong Republican, he has 
always been elected by a large majority. 

\WMl ^ TEMPLETON.— Mr. Temple- 

Wmm. ton is a well-known citizen of 
^^^® Monterey county, and is known 
especially for his business energy and enter- 
prise. He is a native son of the ' Golden 



West," and was born in Trinity county, Cal- 
ifornia, May 13, 1860. He was reared in 
Alameda county and was in the railroad serv- 
ice for about six years, when he came to 
Monterey county. His father, Benjamin S. 
Templeton, was a wool-grower and a native 
of Ohio. His mother (now deceased) was 
born in Germany. 

In 1885, Mr. Templeton, in company with 
F. O. Oaks and T. A. Cunningham, pur- 
chased 4,000 acres of land of the Moro Cojo 
rancii, made extensive improvements on the 
same, and the purchase was recently divided 
between the partners, Mr. Templeton tak- 
ing 380 acres, upon which he has put out 
about 3,000 fruit trees, erected new and com- 
modious buildings and otherwise made great 
improvements. His estate lies in a fertile 
and picturesque county, especially adapted 
to fruit culture. 



I^AMUEL M. BLACK, a well-known 
twl f'l'''^^^'' of Blanco, Monterey county, 
'''^ has been a resident of California since 
1861. He is a native of New Yurk, having 
been born at Auburn, Cayuga county, No- 
vember 23, 1840. His father, Robert Black, 
was a farmer, who reared his sons to that 
calling. 

Upon coming to California, our subject 
engaged in tiie occupation he had been reared 
to near Sacramento, in 1861. As the Sac- 
ramento river flooded his section of the 
country and retarded work, he left that local- 
ity and engaged lor a time in mining. He 
also visited Nevada and Montana in 1864, 
but in the fall of 1867 he returned to Cali- 
fornia and located in the Salinas valley, near 
Castroville, where he leased lands of the 
Cooper ranch, and there farmed until he 



MONTE RET, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



purchased his present farm of 100 acres, at 
Blanco. In addition to this farm he owns a 
stock ranp;e of 368 acres. Mr. Black was 
Supervisor of Monterey county one term, 
which lasted six years, — from 1869 to 1875. 
He has also been Clerk of the Board of Trus- 
tees for Blanco district for many years. 

In September, 1869, our subject was mar- 
ried to Amelia Warth, a daughter of William 
Wartl), deceased, who lived and died at 
Blanco, after coming from Germany, of 
which country he was a native. He located 
in California in 1864, and his daughter, Mrs. 
Black, was only an infant when he made his 
settlement here. She was born in Germany 
just before the trip was begun, which carried 
the parents and little ones to this great land 
of freedoni and plenty. Mr. and Mrs. Black 
have nine children, namely: William, Rob- 
ert, Elizabeth, Amelia, James, Samuel, Clara, 
Marguerite and Ethel. Mr. and Mrs. Black 
are substantial people and enjoy the respect 
of their fellow-citizens. 



fL. NASH, a well-known farmer of 
Hollister, came to California in 1853, 
® from his native state of Maine, where 
he was born in Washington county, January 
22, 1839. 

The journey to California was made with 
his father, Shaw Nash, and upon arrival the 
father and son went to the mines and en- 
gaged in that perilous and fascinating pur- 
suit until 1864, when they located in the 
Santa Clara valley and engaged in farming at 
Warm Springs. They removed therefrom to 
Hollister, in 1869, where our subject has 
since resided, pursuing his calling of farming 
very successfully. Besides his home in Hol- 
lister, Mr. Nash owns 300 acres two and 



one-half miles southeast of Hollister, and 
another tract of 300 acres three miles west of 
the same city. 

Mr. Nash was married, July 25, 1866, at 
Warm Springs, to Miss Perthina N. Gates, a 
daughter of Edward Cates, a native of Maine. 
Mr. and Mrs. Nash are highly respected in 
Hollister, where they have resided for so 
many years, and where Mr. Nash has amassed 
a small fortune. 



HARLES R. FEW, an active and suc- 
cessful business man of Monterey, is a 
native of London, England, where he 
was born August 4, 1853. He spent his 
boyhood and youth in the metropolis of the 
world, and there received a liberal education. 
Mr. Few left his native city in 1884, for 
America, landing in New York city, after a 
safe voyage, whence he proceeded to Cali- 
fornia, reaching San Francisco in Decem- 
ber of the same year. He came to Mon- 
terey, intending to adopt the dairy business 
as a calling. In order to become familiar 
with the business he engaged on a dairy farm 
in the Carmel valley, but after three years on 
this farm changed his intention and engaged 
in the livery business, with Charles Norton 
as partner. This business they continued in 
Monterey from 1888 to 1889, when Mr. Few 
purchased his partner's interest and has since 
been the sole owner of the Club stables. 

He was married April 17, 1888, to Miss 
Agatha M. Hilby, a native daughter of Cali- 
fornia and second child of Francis M. (de- 
ceased) and Katherine (Kissler) Hilby. Mrs. 
Few is possessed of many feminine graces, 
takes a lively interest in society matters and 
presides over one of the finest private resi- 
dences in Monterey county. 



AJS'D SAN MATMO UOUNTIES. 



235 



No citizen has more liberally invested his 
capital in local enterprises and more thor- 
oughly identified himself with the business 
growth of his chosen home than Charles R. 
Few. He is a stockholder in the Bank of 
Monterey and the California State Savings 
Bank, is stockholder, director and secretary 
of the Monterey Electric Light and Develop- 
ment Company. He is a director and sec- 
cretary of the Pacific Coast Live-stock Asso- 
iation, and director and secretary of the 
Monterey Board of Trade. 

This gentleman is genial and gentlemenly 
in his manner, social in his daily intercourse 
with his fellow-citizens. He has an inherent 
love of sport of all kinds and is consequently 
popular with the masses, which, combined 
witli his hard business sense, in a large 
measure unfolds the secret of his success. 



:1LLIAM C. ASIIER, one of the 
nimn ^"cnerable pioneers of this coast, was 
l^^^s^ born in Madison county, Kentucky, 
December 19, 1810. In 1830 he removed 
from his native State to Missouri, which 
place continued to be his home until 1849, 
In May of that year, on the second day 
of the month, he started overland for Cali- 
fornia, traveling with ox teams like the other 
emigrants that made their way across the 
plains and mountains at that period. He 
entered the Golden State by the Lassen route, 
and the first dinner lie took in California was 
where Senator Stanford's vineyard is now 
located. He visited Shasta county, Sacra- 
mento, and other points, and arrived in Ne- 
vada City on the last day of 1849, In the 
fall of 1850 he engaged in mining, and the 
following spring began teaming. From that 
he turned his attention to the hotel business. 



His hotel was burned in 1852. Kcit discour- 
aged, however, he bought another the same 
week of the fire, and conducted the business 
until 1853, when he sold out. About that 
time he was appointed Under Sheriff of Ne- 
vada county, and served as such till 1855. 
In 1856 he was reapptiinted to the same 
})osition, serving under William Butterfield 
until 1858. He also acted as jailer, and at 
one time came near being killed hy one of 
his prisoners who struck him on the head 
with a bar of iron. He subsequently served 
as jailor for Sheriff Boing. In 1859 Mr. 
Asher left Nevada City for South Yuba river 
Bridge, where he remained until 1869, and 
while there came near losing his life by a 
premature explosion in blasting rock. Next 
we find him at San Joaquin, engaged in build- 
ing a levee. He then returned to South 
River Bridge. Since 1870 he has been a 
resident of Ilollister, San Benito county, and 
during these years has been variously occu- 
pied ; served as Road Supervisor two years and 
as Constable two years; was engaged in the 
poultry business from 1874 till 1877. He 
was then called on to nurse some diphtheria 
cases, and was engaged in nursing until 
1880. He then turned his attention to ranch- 
ing, and at times also nursed some. In 1887 
he was elected Justice of the Peace for the 
city of Hollister, and is now occupying this 
position. 

Mr. Asher is unmarried. 

§0N JACINTO RODRIGUEZ was born 
January 12, 1815, in the Pajaro valley, 
-^„ Santa Cruz county, on which place is 
now situated the prosperous city of Watson- 
ville. His father, Don Sebastian Kodriguez 
being then the owner of a vast tract of land 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



consisting of thousands of acres abont and in 
tlie immediate vicinity of Watson ville. 

Our subject removed to Monterey soon 
after the death of his father and was soun 
very prominent in tlie affairs of the capital of 
Alta California, Monterey. It will be re- 
membered that education was very limited in 
tlie early days in California, but Jacinto 
applied himself, under the tuition of his 
father and was soon able to master the Spanish 
language, in which he learned to read, write 
and keep accounts. These accomplishments 
secured him a position in the customhouse, 
under the Mexican Government, wliich posi- 
tion he retained until California became a part 
of the Union. Don Rodriguez was a member 
of the first constitutional convention, which 
convened in Monterey, July 3, 1850, and 
gave California her first organic law under 
American rule. 

In 1847, he commenced the creation of a 
noble house on what is now the corner of 
Alvarado and Franklin streets, and in one 
year succeeded in building one story of the 
house and putting on aslight roof of shingles. 
The price of lumber was so very high and 
wages demanded by carpenters so great that 
it was several years before the house was 
completed. It was then considered one of 
the mansions of the city, and unlike the 
others of its kind the rooms were large and 
light. 

In 1848, he married Miss Pergrina Pinto, 
daughter of Don Rafael and Donna Mana 
Ygnacia Amador de Pinto, and they had five 
children, four sons and one daughter, all of 
whom are dead excepting the second son. 
Charles H. Rodriguez; he and his mother 
are the surviving members of the family. 
They are at present living in the same adobe 
building that was built in 1848, the son hav- 
ing been employed as bookkeeper for the 



Pacific Live Stock Mutual Protection Asso- 
ciation of Monterey, and at present clerk in 
the law office of Messrs. Parker & Nougues, 
Salinas city, the county seat of Monterey 
county. 

In 1880, Don Jacinto Rodriguez died, 
leaving considerable property behind hira, on 
the principal business street in Monterey, he 
havin purchased the property formerly be- 
longing to Curtis & Conover, on which was 
built tlie first brick store in the city, in 1857. 
He purcliased this property at the time the 
county-seat was removed to Salinas city, pay- 
in j a small price for the same; but to-day it 
is considerably enhanced in value, and it is all 
in the possession of the family and there is 
no incumbrance on it, whatever. This is but 
a brief history of one of the old families of 
California, who have ever proved themselves 
brave and true citizens of one of the largest 
States in this glorious Union. 

fO. NASH, M. D., has been a resident 
of California since 1874, and of Hollis- 
jt^ " ter. He is a native of Columbia, Wash- 
incrton county, Maine, born August 28, 1841. 
He spent his boyhood in his native town, and 
later at Machias, in the same State, in which 
he laid the foundation of his education. He 
took a course of two years' study at Amherst 
College, Massachusetts, in the class of 1867, 
having taken a classical course. His medical 
education was received at Bowdoin College, 
from which he received his diploma in 1868. 
In 1873 he entered the regular army as 
surgeon, and during his term of service, 
which lasted about two years, he was one of 
the expedition that fixed the boundai-y line 
between British Columbia and the United 
States. 



AND SiiN MATEO COUNTIES. 



Upon his arrival in California he located 
in Hollister, wiiere he has since resided and 
successfully practiced his profession. During 
the years of 1885 and 1886 he served his 
county as CoroQer and Public Administrator. 
With the exception of 1882 and 1883 he has 
resided continuously at Hollister. He was 
Surgeon at New Idria mines during 1882-'83. 

His marriage occurred in 1878, when he 
was united to Miss Ida JVl. Ladd, and 
they have two children, Francis L. and Flor- 
ence M. 

fTEPHEN CASTRO, of Castroville, is 
a member of a family whose historic 
name, in the annals of California, is 
legion. 

He is the son of Don Jose Francisco and 
.Narcisa (Soto) De Castro, honored citizens of 
Monterey. Our subject was born in Monte- 
rey county, on the Pilarcitos ranch, January 
12, 1860, and was reared in his native county. 
Mr. Castro is a fine type of the Spanish Cali- 
fornian, both in physique and in his uniform 
kindness of heart and genial manner. 

Our subject took unto himself a wife in 
the person of Miss Marie Mardocco, a daugh- 
ter of Don Pedro Mardocco, an honored citi- 
zen of Watsonville, and the ceremony was 
performed on the 4th of September, 1889, in 
Castroville. Mr. and Mrs. Castro have two 
daughters, one named for her grandmother, 
Teresa Narcisa, and the other Anna. Since 
1886 Mr. Castro has been the trusted agent 
for the "Wells, Fargo Express Company, and 
United States mail carrier at Castroville, in 
which latter position he is universally popu- 
lar, and in both positions he continues to 
give entire satisfaction. 

The father of our subject, Jose Francisco, 



was a son of Simeon Castro, a prominent 
figure iu the early days of California, and 
grantee of the Bolso Nuevo and Moro Oojo 
ranches. He held numerous responsible pub- 
lic positions, and reared a large family, of 
whom Don Juan B. Castro, uncle to the sub- 
ject of this sketch, is one member. A more 
complete account of this illustrious family 
may be found elsewhere in this work. 



fDWAKD SPENCEK JOSSELYN was 
born December 7, 1827, iu the town of 
Duxbury, Plymouth county, Massachu- 
setts. He remained at the place of his birth, 
receiving a common-school education, until 
the year 1842, when he entered upon a sea- 
farincr life and sailed to the ports of the At- 
lantic and Indian oceans. He continued in 
that trade until the year 1849, when he sailed 
from the port of Boston as second officer of 
the ship Raritan,for San Francisco, via Cape 
Horn, and arrived at his destination in the 
spring of 1850. Immediately he assumed 
command of the vessel and sailed out of the 
San Francisco harbor for different ports on 
the California coast, and in the year 1858 
he made his first voyage to Tahiti, one of 
the Society islands. In 1863 he sailed for 
Boston by way of Panama, and there took 
charge of the ship Thomas Woodard, and 
sailed along the coast of South America, 
doubling Cape Horn, visiting the port of 
Valparaiso, and again the Society islands. 
He returned to San Francisco and made that 
his terminal point for the succeeding two 
years. In 1865 he repeated the former trip 
to Boston, and there he built and equipped 
the brig Percy Edward, and sailed as her 
master for San Francisco, passing through 
the straits of Magellan on his outward voy- 



238 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SAhTA GRUZ, 



age, and arriving at his destination in 1866. 
In the next three years lie sailed from San 
Francisco to Japan and China in the tea 
trade, and to Java in the coft'ee trade. In 
1874 he permanently located in Monterey, 
Calitornia, and permanently abandoned the 
sea. lie has served one term in the State 
Legislature, and is a man well known in this 
locality. 

Captain Josselyn was initiated as an Appren- 
ticed Mason, and was made a Master Mason 
in 1860, in Oceanic Lodge of F. & A. M., at 
Tahiti, under the jurisdiction of the Grand 
Orient of France. He demitted therefrom, 
February 21, 1871, and affiliated with the 
Occidental Lodge, No. 22, at San Francisco, 
Calitornia, May 6, 1872. He demitted from 
the latter lodge, February 7, 1876, and affili- 
ated with the Monterey Lodge, No. 217, at 
Monterey, April 8, 1876, of which he is still 
a member. He was admitted through the 
various degrees of the order, and was knighted 
Red Cross, August 1, 1885, and Templar and 
Knight of Malta, August 15 of the same year, 
in Watsonville, California, Commandery No. 
22, of which he is still a member. April 19, 
1888, he was elected an active member of the 
Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific 
coast. 

The father of our subject was the Rev. 
Aaron Josselyn, of Duxbury, Massachu- 
setts, a clergyman of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, and by trade a watchmaker. 
He was a native of Duxbury, born in 1804, 
and followed his profession about forty years. 
He represented his town three times in the 
State Legislature, and later was for two terms 
Chaplain of the Legislature. He died in 
1887, at the age of eighty- three years. His 
wife was Miss Ann Binney, of Hull, the 
daughter of Spencer Binney, who was one of 
the original owners of the Boston town site. 



He had been the owner of 114 acres of Bos- 
ton common, which he gave to the city as a 
cow pasture only, and it served that purpose 
for many years. He was a farmer, and Bos- 
ton common was a part of his farm. 

Captain Josselyn of this notice is the 
second oldest of a family of seven children, 
of whom one brother, Joseph, is still living 
in California. Three of the others died in 
this State. 

Our subject was married August 2, 1863, 
to Miss Caroline Sears, a native of Duxbury, 
Massachusetts, a descendant of the Wads- 
worths. She was a daughter of Hannah 
Wadsworth, who was born in the old Miles 
Standish house, of Duxbury. Two sons and 
one daughter of Captain Josselyn are living, 
and they are: Spencer Binney, of Boston; 
Edward Lyman, a merchant of Monterey; 
and Caroline E. 

fHAW NASH, deceased, one of the hon- 
ored pioneers of 1853, is the lamented 
subject of this brief sketch. He was a 
lumberman and shipbuilder in Maine, but in 
1853 crossed the water to California, by the 
way of Panama, and with two of his sons, 
E. ft. and P. L. Nash, engaged in mining, 
where the former and eldest of the two died. 
Later Mrs. Nash and two younger children 
came to California to join the husband and 
father, and the family then made them a 
home in Alameda county, where the youngest, 
a beautiful girl of fifteen summers, passed 
away, and another chair was left vacant. They 
finally located at HoUister, where the father 
and mother both died. Mr. G. S. Nash, the 
son who came to this country with the itiother' 
still resides in San Benito county, where he 
is well known and highly esteemed, as is also 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



his only surviving brother, Mr. P. L. Nash. 

Mr. G. S. Nash was born in Washington 
county, Maine, April 3, 1842, and therefore 
was but eigiiteen years of age when he made 
his trip to the great West. In 1871 he re^ 
moved to HoUister, and has remained there 
ever since, carrying on farming on an exten- 
sive scale. He owns one of the finest farms 
in that vicinity, consisting of about 100 acres. 
He also owns 255 acres in the fertile Santa 
Ana valley, east of HoUister. 

He married, at his native home, Miss Le- 
titia Gates, a native of Washington county, 
Maine, an old schoolmate of his. She is a 
lady of tine domestic tastes and social culture-. 
Two children still brighten their home, and 
two are deceased. Those living are Erastus 
G. and Carrie A. The entire family are 
higiily appreciated by their host of friends. 

;ILLIAM STIRLING, a substantial 
and esteemed citizen of Castroville, 
(Jalitbrnia, is a native of Scotland, 
having been born at Glasgow, in 1835. He 
left the land of his birth and came to Amer- 
ica in 1857, locating at Glencoe, Ekfrid town- 
ship, Ontario, Canada, where he remained 
and pursued farming for about ten years. 

In 1867 he came to the great Golden State, 
via the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in the 
city of San Francisco, November 3, 1867. 
Although by profession Mr. Stirling is a 
weaver, having learned his trade in a seven 
years' apprenticeship with his father, and 
thoroughly understands his work, he has 
adopted farming as his calling. The first 
two years of his residence in this county was 
spent on the farm of John Martin, Esq., at 
Carmel, a few miles from Monterey. After 
that he next engaged for six years on the 




Estrada rancho, in the Salinas valley. In 
November, 1876, he located on the Cooper 
ranch at Castroville, where he has since re- 
mained. 

The father of our subject, John Stirling, 
came to this State with his son, the mother 
having died in April, 1853. By profession 
he was a weaver, at which trade lie earned 
his living. He was a native of Scotland, 
born in 1799, and was eighty-five years of 
age at the time of his death, July 26, 1884. 

Mr. Stirling was married in Scotland, in 
January, 1857, to Miss Jane MacNaughton, 
by whom he has four children, namely : Mag- 
gie, now Mrs. B. E. Cahoon, of the Laureles 
rancho; Nellie, now Mrs. Charles Whitcher, 
of Castroville; John W., foreman of the 
Spery Mills, located at Salinas; and Duncan, 
a teacher in the public schools of Monterey 
county, — a brief mention of whom appears 
elsewhere in this work, — the three youngest 
children, Nellie, John and Duncan, being 
graduates of the State Normal School at San 
Jose. Our subject and his estimable wife 
may justly be proud of their fine family, and 
few people are so nicely situated in their de- 
clining years as they. 



fA. CREPIN, M. D., is one of the 
prominent and influential citizens of 
* San Benito county, California. He 
has been a resident of the State since 1876, 
and of HoUister since 1881. Upon arrival 
on the Pacific coast he spent four years in 
San Luis Obispo, where he practiced his 
profession. He was born in Valenciennes, in 
the north of France, on November 30, 1841, 
came to America, with his parents, when 
only fourteen years of age. The father, 
Andrew Crepin, was a merciiant in his na- 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA ORUZ, 



tive land, but when be came to America he 
engaged in farming, at Dubuque, Iowa. 

Dr. Crepin is the youngest of a family 
of four and received the rudiments of 
his education in the College of Notre 
Dame, of Valenciennes. He studied medi- 
cine in St. Louis, Missouri, at the medical 
college of that place. In 1867 he became 
connected with St. Louis city hospital and 
later practiced medicine at Dubuque, Iowa, 
and other points in the Mississippi valley. 
Since his residence at Hollister he haa been 
favored with a most extensive professional 
practice and has thoroughly identified him- 
self with the business interests of the county. 
He holds stock in the recently established 
banking house of Hollister and is likewise 
interested in the Hollister Water Works, the 
Hollister Gas Works, the Electric Light and 
Power Company and Irrigating Company. 
He responds promptly to any demand made 
upon him as a citizen of Hollister that 
tends to the dtvelopment and public good of 
the community. 

Dr. Crepin was married, in Lansing, Iowa, 
to JVliss Mary McKeogh, and they have two 
accomplished daughters, Emilie and Celia. 
These two worthy people enjoy the esteem 
and respect of all who know thero. 



^^Efr A. ANDERSON, of Salinas, is a na- 
WwH ^^^® ^°° ^^ ^^^ " Golden State," 

L*=§s^ ® having been born at Santa Cruz, 
June 30, 1852. 

His father, William J. Anderson, was an 
important figure in the early history of Cali- 
fornia. He came to the coast as early as 
1837, as an English sailor on a whaling ves- 
sel. In Larkin's notes he is referred to as one 
of Graham's self-made men, and in 1840 one 



of the exiles to San Bias. He returned, 
however, to California and successfully 
prosecuted a claim for damages. He was 
granted a car carta, and in 1842 married a 
Miss Espinosa. He then ran a soap manu- 
factory and flour mill on the Salinas plains, 
but sold both establishments in 1842. He 
then removed to Santa Cruz and there held 
the oflice of alcalde in 1849. In 1854 he 
removed to Monterey and followed his trade 
of mechanic there, and is said to have laid 
the first roof upon the old Monterey custom- 
house. He has four sons and two daughters, 
of whom the subject of this sketch is the 
oldest. Mr. W. A. Anderson was a man of 
intelligence and skill in his trade and en- 
joyed the respect and esteem of all who knew 
him. 

Our subject remained in Monterey until 
July, 1862, following his trade of contracting 
carpenter and builder, when he removed to 
Salinas Valley, and in 1868 located in 
Castroville, until 1890, when he removed to 
Salinas. He was elected in the campaign of 
1890, Assessor of Monterey county, and 
therefore removed to Salinas to assume the 
duties of his otiice, which at this writing, 
1892, he still retains. 

In 1871, he married Miss Inez, a daughter 
of the late Jose Boronda, of whom mention 
is made elsewhere in thi* volume. Eight 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Anderson, four girls and four boys. 

Mr. Anderson is an estimable gentleman 
and has proved a faithful official. 

^ENRY BARDIN.— The subject of this 
^^ sketch has the honor of being the 
^c(| seventh born in a family which is well 
known throughout California, that of Mr. 




OA¥fl D JACKS. 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



James Bardin, deceased. Our subject is a 
native of Mississippi, where he was born 
December 20, 1853, and consequently was 
but two years of age wlien the family re- 
moved to the " Grolden State," in 1855. (A 
full account of the settlement of the family at 
Blanco is given elsewhere in this book). 

Henry grew up on his father's estate, and 
January 10, 1883, he married Miss Martha 
Thompson, a daughter of Martin J. Thomp- 
son, and a native of California, having been 
born in Sonora, Sacramento county. She has 
born her husband three children, namely: 
Roy, Hazel and Ethel. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bardin reside on tlieir beau- 
tiful home, situated three miles from Salinas 
city, consisting of 250 acres of choice land. 
Mr. Bardin enjoys the respect of his fellow- 
citizens and is a thoroughly reliable gentle- 
man. 

.^.. ^ . S .. ; . g ..... 

§AVID JACKS was born in Crieff, Perth- 
shire, Scotland, in 1822. His ancestors 
were French Huguenots. He came to 
New York in August, 1841, and engaged as 
clerk in a store, first at Williamsburg, and 
then at Fort Hamilton, where he remained 
till 1848 in a large mercantile and manufact- 
uring establishment. His employer, who 
was a very capable business man, was the 
inspector of all the wagons and harness 
bought by the Government in that market 
for use in the war with Mexico, and who, 
like 80 many others, under similar circum- 
stances, was inclined to extend favors to the 
army officers at Fort Hamilton, expecting 
that those favors would be returned in some 
form, thereby placing officers, by implication 
at least, under some sort of obligations to 
him. Captain Robert E. Lee, who was then 
stationed at the furt, and who had, in his 



official capacity, large dealings at this store, 
preferred always to deal with Mr. Jacks, and 
studiously avoided the proprietor. So thor- 
oughly honest was he that he shrank from 
laying himself under obligations to any one 
in any manner that might in the least inter- 
fere with the conscientious discharge of his 
duties to the Government us a purchasing 
agent. Thus Mr. Jacks came to know him 
well, and to admire very highly his nobleness 
of character. 

James C. Flood, in after years a miner and 
banker in California, learned the carriage- 
maker's trade at this establishment where 
Mr. Jacks was employed, working there 
three years or more. As the clerks had all 
they could do, young Flood, after his days 
work was done in the shop, would often come 
in and help them, which kindness on his 
part they greatly appreciated. 

About this time the commissary sergeant 
of a company of the United States Army, 
which had been ordered to California, needed 
a competent assistant to help him to keep 
his accounts correctly, and he engaged Mr. 
Jacks to go with him in that capacity. 
Having about the same time read a letter 
in the New York Herald, from Rev. Walter 
Colton, a chaplain of the Navy, stationed at 
Monterey, and holding some civil office there, 
giving definite information about the gold 
discoveries, Mr. Jacks concluded to invest 
his earnings, amounting to $1,400 or $1,500, 
in goods which he thought would sell out 
there. He sailed with the company on the 
Sea Queen from New York for San Francisco, 
December 14, 1848, stopping at Rio De 
Janeiro and Valparaiso, at both of which 
places they were shown gold from the new 
Eldorado, the nuggets exhibited at Rio de 
Janeiro having been brought overland from 
Valparaiso. 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, 6.1NTA CRUZ, 



He arrived at San Francisco in April, 
1849, where he disposed of his goods in 
forty-eight hours, realizing about $4,000. 
Revolvers costing 318 in New York readily 
sold in San Franciso for §50. He loaned 
his money at one and one-half per cent per 
month (the rates of interest ranging at that 
time from one to five per cent per month), 
the party keeping it upward of two years, 
when he paid up in full. 

Mr. Jacks was employed in San Francisco 
as an inspector in the customhouse at SlOO 
per month, his duties being performed 
mostly on ship-board, as there were no 
wharves then, cargoes being discharged by 
means of flat-bottomed lighters. Lighter- 
men received §8 per day, and were scai-ce at 
that, as nearly everybody had gone to the 
mines. 

(Jn the 11th of October, 1849, Mr. Jacks 
and two other young men had their supplies 
of clothing and provisions ready to start on 
the following day for Sacramento and the 
mines. During that night the rain com- 
menced and continued three days and three 
nights. Reports came from Sacramento and 
the upper country that teams could not haul 
provisions from Sacramento to the mines; 
that the roads were so bad, or the ground 
was so soft from the heavy rains as to be im- 
passable for teams. Flour, bacon, beans, 
etc., in the mines, went up to three times 
the prices they were worth before the rains. 
And so Mr. Jacks gave up all notion of 
going to the mines — then or afterward. 

The semi-monthly arrival of the Pacific 
mail steamers was quite an important event 
in those times in San Francisco. Once Mr. 
Jacks says he went to the post ofiice at four 
o'clock in the morning, and took his place at 
the end of a long line, and there remained — 
the postmaster being very short of help — till 



the post office closed, with still a number of 
persons ahead of him I There were so few 
women in San Francisco at that time that if 
one walked along the streets the men would 
watch her, of course in a deferential way, and 
when she had passed them they would turn 
round and stare at her till she was out of 
sight, so great a novelty was the sight of a 
woman in those days I They could also see 
a few French women in the gambling houses, 
which were then numerous, and often gor- 
geously equipped, even when located in large 
tents or other temporary structures. 

Mr. Jacks arrived at Monterey on the first 
day of January, 1850, and he has made his 
home here ever since. He came on the steamer 
California, the fare from San Francisco being 
$25; the steamer was bound for Panama, and 
Monterey was one of her stopping places. 
Monterey at that period was the headquarters 
of the Tenth Military Department, which in- 
cluded all of California and Oregon, and which 
was under the command of Brigadier-General 
Bennett Riley. Mr. Jacks well remembers 
most of the young officers who were then 
stationed at this point. Among them were: 
Captain H. S. Burton of Company F of the 
Third Artillery, afterward in command at 
Fortress Monroe; Lieutenants Ord and Hamil- 
ton; Captain fl. W. Halleck, who afterward 
became general of the army in the Civil war, 
was General Riley's chief engineer, and iu 
fact most of the duties of the governor's 
office devolved on him; Captain Kane was 
quartermaster, and Lieutenant Sully was 
commissary of subsistence; Major Canby, 
with his wife and adopted daughter, was here 
then, and was Riley's Adjutant-General; Lieu- 
tenant Derby, afterward widely known as the 
genial and witty humorist " John Phoenix," 
was stationed here; also Lieutenant Steele, 
who was with a company of infantry, and 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



Captain Lyon, was in command of another 
infantry company; there was also a Captain 
Wescott; and Captain Baldwin, was in cliarge 
of ordnance. Captain W. T. Sherman was 
here occasionally at that period. 

Some 300 head of horses and mules be- 
longing to the United States, nnder charge 
of Mr. Jacks, were kept on the San Francis- 
qnito rancho, about twenty-four miles south- 
east of Monterey. Expeditions consisting of 
a small force, well armed, with wagons and 
supplies, etc., were sent out into the interior 
(Tulare and San Joaquin valleys), for the 
purpose of making known to the Indians that 
there was a government or military force in 
the country which would make itself re- 
spected. 

Of course tliere were lively times in Mon- 
terey then, as the United States had consider- 
able military forces stationed here, and large 
sums of money were disbursed. Gold dust, 
Spanish doubloons or ounce pieces, and Mexi- 
can silver dollars were very abundant. Mr. 
Jacks clerked for nearly two years, at a salary 
of $2,000 a year, for James McKinley, who 
had a large grocery and dry-goods store. 
The traders from the Mariposa mines came 
to Monterey to buy goods, bringing each 
from fifty to 150 pack mules, usually pur- 
chasing from S'6,000 to $8,000 worth of goods 
at a time, and paying for the same in gold- 
dust, which usually was received at $16 per 
ounce, and which the Monterey merchants 
sent to New York, where they generally 
realized about $18 per ounce, net. 

In the latter part of 1851, Mr. Jacks en. 
gaged in farming, though with indifferent 
success, in the Carmel valley, hiring men to 
work the land. In 1854 he personally took 
hold of the business of raising potatoes, pay- 
ing from six and one-half to seven and one- 
half cents per pound for seed potatoes at 



Santa Cruz, employing western farm hands 
at 180 per month and board; also Carmel 
mission Indians, who were excellent workers, 
at $40 per month and board. From twenty- 
two sacks of seed potatoes left over after 
planting, which he sent to San Francisco, he 
realized $252 net, over and above expenses, 
including $20 a ton freight and twelve per 
cent commission. But the results from the 
planting were not quite so encouraging. 
Three speculators came to Carmel, in June of 
that year (1854), offering or proposing to 
buy from $20,000 to $40,000 worth of 
"spuds" at two cents a pound, deliverable in 
November or December following at Mon- 
terey, in storehouse or on the wharf; but they 
finally concluded a contract with Mr. Jacks 
for 18,000 worth, on the same terms. Jacks 
was the only man who would sell at this 
price, because potatoes had been sold that 
spring at from three and one-half to seven 
and one-half cents per pound. In the out- 
come, this syndicate paid Jacks the $8,000 as 
agreed, hut never took a potato, although he 
delivered them all at the warehouse accord- 
ing to contract! but they afterward hired 
him to haul them off and throw them away. 

Subsequently, two young men came to 
to Jacks and contracted for the delivery, at 
one and three-fourth cents per pound, in the 
spring (1855), of 300,000 pounds of spuds, 
paying one-half the money down. They 
never paid the balance and never took the 
spuds away. 

These last buyers, Mr. Jacks was informed, 
"hedged" by selling the potatoes and receiv- 
ing the same amount of money they paid 
Jacks; but as he was not aware of this hedg- 
ing, and supposing that the original buyers 
still owned the goods, he had pity on them 
and did not insist on their complying with 
the balance of their contract. He sold that 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA ORUZ, 



season |20,000 worth of potatoes, and came 
out about $500 short; expenses, including 
high wages, etc., ate up everything. 

He continued farming in 1855, planting 
potatoes, bayo beans and barley. All of these 
brought excellent prices and he cleared this 
season, ending in the spring of 1856, about 
$8,000. During the preceding three years, 
hogs had been going up in value, and he had 
meanwhile gathered about 300 head, some of 
which were iine-biooded English stock, which 
had cost him from $50 to |80 a piece. The 
entire lot had cost him in the aggregate be- 
tween $2,500 and |3,000, but as he made up 
his mind to visit his old home in Scotland, 
he offered them for $1,000, without finding a 
buyer; but finally sold them all for |50, as 
they were "eating their heads off," in barley, 
worth in the market four and one-half cents 
per pound, and besides, if he left them he 
would become responsible for any damage 
wiiich they might cause to his neighbors. He 
thereupon quit farming and went to Scot- 
land, remaining there twelve months, visiting 
his mother and sister. In a little more than 
two years, the parties who had bought these 
hogs realized about $4,000 for them. 

Mr. Jacks returned to Monterey from his 
visit to Scotland, in the latter part of 1857. 
He took personal charge again of his exten- 
sive business — having left it, during his 
absence, in the hands of agents — and con- 
tinued to loan money, or to carry on one line 
of a banking business without actually hav- 
ing a banking house. He says he was averse 
to purchasing lands as he considered he was 
not so well adapted to their management as 
to the management of money; his policy 
being like that of most savings banks in 
loaning money, to get the interest and 
principal, and not to get land ; although often, 
as with them, he was compelled to take lands 



which he did not want. He says that about 
1860, having a mortgage for money loaned 
on five and one-half leagues of latid, he com- 
promised to receive only three and one-half 
leagues, leaving two leagues to the mort- 
gagors, which would all have been absorbed 
by foreclosure at the then very low price of 
land. In fact, he afterward offered these 
lands again and again at seventy-five cents 
per acre without finding purchasers. There- 
fore, in spite of his adoption of this policy 
in his business of loaning money, as has so 
often happened with others, in the course of 
years he has come to be a large land owner. 

THE NAEEOW-GAUGE KAILEOAD. 

The Monterey and Salinas Valley railroad, 
narrow gauge (the pioneer railroad enter- 
prise of Monterey county), was built in 
1874, by the business men of Monterey and 
the farmers of Salinas valley. When com- 
pleted and ready to be operated, having two 
locomotives, and two passenger coaches, and 
eight box cars, and forty flat cars, the cost of 
the same was about $360,000; and, the 
farmers being unable to borrow the amounts 
of money necessary to pay up their sub- 
scriptions to the capital stock, Mr. Jacks 
borrowed $75,000 on his ranchos, " Chualar " 
and " Zanjones." Of this sum he put $25,- 
000 into the company, and loaned most of 
the balance to other stockholders. He also 
acted as treasurer for the company about 
twenty months, disbursing all funds received, 
amounting to some $250,000, for which serv- 
ices he never received one cent. He sank 
over $40,000 in this road, which was finally 
sold to the Southern Pacitic Company. This 
latter corporation converted it into a broad- 
gauge road, connecting it with their general 
continental system, and giving, instead of one 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



245 



train a day, two trains and sometimes three 
trains daily, between San Francisco and 
Monterey. 

PACIFIC GEOVE. 

The presiding elders of the San Francisco 
Methodist Episcopal Conference having con- 
ferred with Mr. Jacks in May, 1875, with 
reference to a suitable seaside location for 
holding annual camp-meetings, he suggested 
the site where the town of Paciiic Grove now 
stands, and Bisliop Peck an<l other influential 
churcli members, after carefully looking over 
the ground, strongly approved the selection, 
and urged the brethren to go ahead and pre- 
pare for holding camp-meeting there that 
same summer, which was done, the people 
gathering there in large numbers on the 9th 
of August, and continuing religious services 
daily for three weeks. Bishop Peck was 
present at the commencement, and, with 
appropriate ceremonies, dedicated the grounds 
as a Christian seaside summer resort, for 
which purposes they are still, and doubtless 
long will be, devoted. A more detailed 
account of the settlement and growth of 
Pacific Grove appears elsewhere in this work; 
but it is proper also to state briefly here the 
honorable and generous connection of David 
Jacks with the founding of that town. In 
preparing the grounds, erecting buildings, 
providing bedding, etc., much labor and ex- 
pense was necessary, for which Mr. Jacks 
advanced personally about $30,000. During 
the next year he expended in improvements 
about 13,000, and a camp-meeting was held 
that year, and the popularity and fame of the 
place as a summer resort, where religious, 
social and literary societies could annually 
hold their reunions, and where all couid find 
rest and recreation, and renewal of strength 



and liealth. amidst the pines and along the 
sea- shore, have steadily increased from year 
to year till the present time. The wisdom 
sliown by Mr. Jacks, Bishop Peck and others 
in selecting this location and in laboring to 
build up this beautiful town, has been abund- 
antly vindicated by results. A clause in the 
deed prohibits gambling and the sale of 
spirituous liquors on the grounds in any 
for.n. and this provision has certainly pro- 
duced good practical results. 

In 1880 Mr. Jacks sold to the Pacific Im- 
provement Company, 7,000 acres of land, 
namely, "El Pescadero"and "Punto de Pinos" 
ranclios, which included the greater portion 
of the lands of Paciiic Grove retreat that 
had not already been disposed of, at the price 
of $5 per acre, on which the conjpany, it is 
currently reported, has since realized, in the 
sale of lots, several hundred thousand dollars. 

In 1878, Mr. Jacks turned his attention 
again to farming, this time on the "Chualar" 
and "Zanjones" ranchos in Salinas valley, 
about ten miles south of Salinas city. Mr. 
Jacks was among the first in that section to 
inaugurate the policy of leasing lands on 
shares, instead of for a fixed cash rent, thus 
enabling his tenants to do well — and often 
very well — in good years, and to save them- 
selves from financial ruin in bad years. The 
shares agreed on are usually three-fourths for 
the tenant, and one- fourth for the landlord. 
This policy works well in the long run for 
both parties. By it the farmer in a dry 
year is not compelled to see all his crop sacri- 
ficed to pay his rent. About 13,000, acres 
of these two ranchos are now under cultiva- 
tion, one-ihird of the crops raised latterly 
having been wheat, and two-thirds barley. 
Mr. Jacks also has about 1,500 acres under 
cultivation on the Alisal rancho and lands 
adjoining, near Salinas city; here the tenants 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



receive two-thirds of the crop and the landlord 
one-third. 

Mr. and Mrs. David Jacks were married 
April 20, 1861, at San Lnis Obispo. The 
maiden name of Mrs. Jacks was Maria 
Cristina Soledad Romie; and she was the 
daughter of J. F. and Maria A. Frohn 
Romie, natives of Germany who came to 
Mexico in 1835. She was born in Oajaca, in 
1837, and came with her parents to Monterey 
in 1841, and has resided here ever since. She 
remembers that while yet quiteyoung,she went 
to school here in Monterey, to Doila Anita, 
the wife of one of the Castaiiares brothers 
(probably J. M.), wlio taught children in 
Spanish, to read and write, and also the rudi- 
ments of arithmetic, as well as the catechism. 
Mrs. Jacks has a vivid recollection of the 
events connected with the raising of the 
American flag in Monterey in 1846, she then 
being about nine years of age. She says she 
thoui^ht at the time that the officers and sail- 
ors of the American men-of-war, with their 
neat, handsome uniforms, presented a fine 
appearance, as they marched from the beach 
to the "cuartel" in front of the Hartnell 
house, where she then happened to be. She 
remembers that the sisters, Mrs. Jimeno and 
Mrs. Hartnell, were iiiuch excited, and as 
they embraced each other and cried, slie, Mrs. 
Jacks (or Maria Romie, for she was only a 
little cfirl then), asked a daughter of Mrs. 
Hartnell why her mother and aunt cried 
and "took on" so, and the reply was: "The 
Americans have come to take our country 
from us!" 

Mrs. Jacks, having been born and raised 
in a country where Spanish was almost the 
only language used, came to regard that as 
her native tongue, as indeed it was; and as 
late as the time when she attended the Santa 
Clara Collecre, in 1859, she was accustomed 



to think iu Spanish, and then mentally trans- 
lated her thoughts and express them in En- 
glish. She soon, however, learned to think 
in English, and now is al)le to talk with 
equal facility in Spanish, English and Ger- 
man, — the latter being the language of her 
parents. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jacks have seven children, 
live daughters and two sons. Their names 
are: Janet, Louise L., William, Mary R., 
Margaret A., Romie C. and Vida G. The 
eldest, Janet, was married in April, 1891, to 
Allan C Balch; their home is in Portland, 
Oregon. Mrs. Balch graduated at the Uni- 
versity of the Pacific, after which she took a 
post-graduate course at Cornell Univerdity. 
Louisa and Mary graduated at Mills Semin- 
ary. William attended the University of the 
Pacific three years, and Cornell one year; he 
is now studying law at the Harvard Law 
School. The three eldest daughters and 
William visited the Paris Exposition in 1889 
and traveled in Germany, Italy, England and 
Scotland; and in 1892 the four eldest daugh- 
ters spent the summer in Europe, Mrs. Balch 
acting as chaparon. Margaret is now at- 
tending the Boston Latin School. Mary 
studied music in Boston four years, after 
graduating from Mills; and she and Louise 
are taking a business-college course in the 
same city. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jacks have been accustomed 
to keep a private teacher in their family for 
their younger children, all of whom, as they 
grow up, are receiviiig a thorough education in 
the best schools and colleges in the country. 

From the foregoing hurried sketch, it is 
evident that the Jacks family is endowed 
with great force of character. Industry, vir- 
tue and religion have been taught by the 
parents, both by precept and example; and 
the lesson thus taught, in great plainness and 




^A^ 




^^c^h^ 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



simplicity, lias not been lost on the children. 
As they have advanced toward maturity, 
where each is compelled to act for himself 
or herself, they have not lapsed into indolence 
and inactivity, but have voluntarily kept up 
their pursuit of knowledge, all according 
to their several preferences, in order not only 
more fully to develop their characters — make 
their lives richer — but to better fit them- 
selves for greater usefulness in life. 

Amoncr the many moral and economic 
maxims taught and lived by the parents, the 
one, perhaps, most clearly enjoined, was, that 
it is not enougli to teach and preach the right, 
but that it is more to the point to do it; or, 
expressed in other phrase, it is all very well 
and proper, and our duty, to pray that the 
Lord will make the world better, but that 
we each are under obligation to personally 
labor to make it better, i. e., to cooperate, 
according to our several capacities, with the 
good Lord, in practically bringing about 
what we pray for. For forty-two years, Mr. 
Jacks has assisted (to the extent of from 
one-half to three-fourths of the cost of the 
same), in maintaining Methodist and Presby- 
terian churches in the town of Monterey; 
and he has also taught a Sunday-school class 
during the same long period. He believes 
large organizations, like churches and schools, 
are effective agencies for doing good, and 
therefore he believes in cooperating with 
them in their beneficent labors, in every way 
possible. 

As has already been said, Mr. Jacks is a 
large land owner. In early times in California, 
lands outside of towns or settlements were 
considered of but comparatively little worth. 
They had been used mainly for pastoral pur- 
poses; and when their owners iiad sold off 
their stock during the mining era, or it had 
died in dry years, as sometimes happened, 



they did not care, or perhaps were not able, 
to keep their lands and pay taxes on them; 
therefore, in many cases, it could be said with 
perfect truth for many years, that, with tlie 
exceptions noted above, vast tracts of land 
did not have a quotable value; and those 
persons of clear heads, who had faith in the 
future, and some means, could get lands almost 
at their own price; and it is not altogether 
fair to attack the tenure of title to land by 
contrasting its present with its former market 
value. As well might the validity of title be 
questioned of lands owned by the Pacific 
Improvement Company about Pacific Grove, 
by comparing their present market value of 
$1,000 or ^2,000 per acre with the petty 
price the company paid for them only twelve 
years ago, of |5 per acre. 

As people slowly returned from the mines, 
andas the country gradually became more 
thickly settled, and as the newcomers learned 
something of the wonderful fertility of Cali- 
fornia soil, a demand for lands arose, and 
very naturally they greatly appreciated in 
value. 

Of course the lands which Mr. Jacks 
bought, or had to take, or was besought to 
take, many years ago, are much more valu- 
able now than they were then. But it should 
be remembered that money at interest, at 
the rates current in early times, would have 
doubled many times over in the last thirty or 
forty years. 

In regard to the Monterey pueblo lands, 
the simple and indisputable facts of history 
seemto be: (1) That the United States Land 
Commission confirmed these lands according 
to certain metes and bounds, January 22, 
1856, and the United States District Court 
finally dismissed the appeal, June 6, 1858; 
(2) that D. R. Ashley, Esq., was employed 
to prosecute, and did successfully prosecute 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA ORUZ, 



Monterey's title to these lands before the 
Land Comtnission and the United States 
Court, whereby the City of Monterey l)ecatne 
indebted to him for such services; (3) that in 
order to pay said indebtedness, the trustees, 
in accordance with the necessary legal for- 
malities, proceeded to sell the pueblo lands 
at public auction to the bidder who would 
take the least amount of land necessary to 
liquidate the then existing indebtedness of 
the city, to wit, $991.50, and that the least 
amount bid was all of the pueblo lands, for 
$1,002.50 (indebtedness and fees), and the 
same were struck ofif to D. R. Ashley and 
David Jacks; (4) that D. R. Ashley con- 
veyed all of his interest in said lands, by deed 
of June 28,-1858 (also April 8, 1862, to 
quiet title, and September 14, 1868), to 
David Jacks; (5) that the act of the Legisla- 
ture of California approved May 11, 1853, 
authorized the trustees of Monterey to pay 
indebtedness incurred prosecuting title before 
the Land Commission and courts of the 
United States. 

While it is not the function of laymen, or 
of the historian, to pretend to adjudicate land 
titles, it is competent from the purely his- 
torical standpoint, to assume that a theory 
based on priina-facie data is tenable until it 
is overthrown. Indeed a contrary assump- 
tion would be altogether inadmissible. Mr. 
Jacks has been in possession of these lands 
for some thing like forty years, and his title 
to them has never, or not till very recently, been 
questioned in I'je courts. D. H. Ashley, 
who conducted the suit before tlie United 
States courts for the confirmation of title, 
and who attended to the legal formalities of 
tlieir sale at a time when they had but lit- 
tle market value was widelyknown, both in 
this State and in Nevada, as a very able and 
careful and conscientious lawyer. It is 



hardly presumable, that, in taking the neces- 
sary steps to secure the amount due him for 
services rendered to the city of Monterey, 
he would neglect any of the formalities or 
acts which were required to make the sale 
regular and legal. Therefore, until the 
courts decide otherwise, it is certainly per- 
missible to assume that the prima-facie view 
is the true view for laymen to take of this 
matter, especially when such eminent lawyers 
as Williams and Thornton, McAllister and 
Bergin and S. W. Sanderson indorse the valid- 
ity of these titles. Citizens may, perhaps, 
justly criticise the wisdom of the trustees in 
alienating the public lands of the city even 
for the pressing purpose of paying its honest 
debts, and insist that they ought to have 
devised or provided other means, but of 
course they were obliged to do as they 
could and not as they would. 

Large portions of the pueblo lands of San 
Jose, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Santa 
Barbara, were disposed of many years ago, for 
merely nominal considerations, and the tenure 
of tliese lands, now worth millions of dollars, 
depends on thosd sales, the legality of which 
has never been attacked. Whetlier the con- 
ditions surrounding those cases were anala- 
gous to those of Monterey, or whether the 
power of the city authorities to sell was sub- 
stantially the same in all these cases or not, 
of course are matters for the courts to de- 
cide. 

In politics Mr. Jacks is a Republican, and 
in religion a Scotch Presbyterian, although 
he has affiliated and earnestly labored with 
other protestant denominations besides the 
Presbyterians, especially with the Methodists. 

John Frederick Romie and vv'ife, and two 
sons, came to Mexico from Hamburg, Ger- 
many, in about the year 1835. They 
lived several years in Oajaca, where their 



AND SAN MATEO COUNIIES. 



daughter Maria, now Mrs. David Jacks, 
was born. Tbey afterward traveled through 
the city of Mexico to Guadalajara, and 
to Tepic, where Mr. Koniie followed liis 
business of tailoring with success till 1841. 
While living at Tepic, the party which had 
been expelled from California (the Graham 
party) arrived there, and its members told 
them much about California, its climate, etc., 
painting the natural attractions of the 
country in bright colors and assuring them 
that they could get all the land they wanted 
for the asking. But the consideration which 
determined them to come to California was 
the health of their eldest son Ernest, who, 
the doctors insisted, must go to a cooler 
climate. So that same year, 1841, they came 
by way of San Bias, in the vessel Gertrudez 
to California, landing at Montei-ey, where 
they became permanent settlers. Here Mr. 
Romie followed his tailoring business, havincr 
brought cloths with him from Germany to 
Mexico, and thence to Monterey. Com- 
petent tailors were scarce here and he did a 
good business as cutter, etc., hiring men to 
do the sewing. After the discovery of gold, 
Mr. Romie went to the mines. He died at 
Placerville, in 1850. Mrs. Romie, whose 
maiden name was Maria A. Frohn, was 
born in Hamburg, in 1801. She died in 
Monterey at the home of her daughter, Mrs. 
Jacks, March 5, 1886, at the age of eighty- 
five years. The sons of Mr. and Mrs. Romie 
are: Fred Ernest, who resides in San Fran- 
cisco; Charles T., of Soledad; and Paul T., 
of Salinas. 



fA. SCHOLEFIELD, the greatest skep- 
tic in the county, could not doubt the 
adaptability of the section of country 
about Hollister for fruit-gro>ving purposes 



after paying a visit to Bonnie Brae farm, 
which lies across the San Benito river, two 
and one half miles west of Hollister. The 
owners of this now celebrated property are 
Messrs. Cunningham, Curtis & Welch, of 
New York and San Francisco. 

Previously to 1888, the firm owned prop- 
erty in Santa Clara county, but having sold 
it they must needs look about the State to 
find another location suitable for horticultural 
purposes, but where land could be purcliased 
at a low figure. Their attention having been 
called to San Benito county, the firm sent 
hitiier the superintendent of their Santa 
Clara ranch, Mr. J. A. Scholefield, the subject 
of this sketch, who made a thorough ex- 
amination of the Hollister valley as a whole, 
and this property in particular, with regard 
to the probable successful cultivation of fruit. 
He tested the soil, obtained statistics as re- 
gards rainfall; summer and winter tempera- 
ture, etc , and finally reported to the company, 
that although fruit trees had never been 
planted in the locality, that the soil and cli- 
mate were eminently adapted for horticulture, 
and he was convinced that fruit trees would 
thrive and bear as well here as in any portion 
of California. His report was accepted, and 
what was known as the McCroskey ranch, of 
365 acres, was purchased. The work of pre- 
paring the ground commenced at once. On 
February 7, the work of laying off the ground 
was begun, and by March 1 about 10,000 
trees were planted, finished just before the 
heavy rain of the season. Twenty acres of 
apricots (Moorpark and Hemskirk), five acres 
of peaches (Foster, Newhall, Sal way and 
Muir), ten acres of Bartlett pears, two acres 
of cherries (Black Tartarean, Royal Ann, 
Governor Wood and Rockport Rigarreau), 
ten acres of apples (Rhode Island greening, 
Violet, Baldwin and Newtown pippin), 500 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



silver prunes, 100 Adriatic figs, twenty acres 
of French prunes, twenty-five Pntparturiens 
walnuts and 700 Ficholine olives, were 
planted; also fifteen acres of wine grapes, 
seven and one-half acres each of the Cabernet 
Franc and Carrignane varieties. The second 
year the planting continued, until tliere are 
now 150 acres planted. The place contains 
now: 2,500 apricot trees, 750 peach, 1,500 
pear, 300 cherries, 1,500 apple, 1,000 silver 
prune, 2,500 French prune, 500 plum prune, 
600 almond, 1,000 walnut, 300 pecan, 150 
fig, 250 chestnut, 800 olive. 

The growth of the young trees, ail of 
which are, as any one who is initiated will re- 
cognize, very choice and each a staple fruit. 
Being very much rushed, the care bestowed 
on the young orchard was only common, 
nothing scientific, though thorough. Yet 
the result has been marvelous. While in 
many localities of the State the percentage 
of loss of young trees was heavy, Bonnie 
Brae farm lost less than three-fourths of one 
per cent the first season. The young trees 
have been pruned and repruned, so rapidly 
has the new wood grown. Though not quite 
three years old, at the present time (1892) 
the orchard has the appearance of being al- 
most twice tliat age. As a two-year old, it 
bore heavily, Mr. Scholefield being obliged 
to pick ofif a large amont of fruit in order 
to save the young trees. This coming season 
the orchard will be four years old and much 
of the fruit will be allowed to remain on the 
ti-ees and ripen. 

This orchard, the first one of any extent 
in the valley, has proven beyond a doubt how 
fully this country meets all the requirements 
of a fruit-producing region. The orchard is 
situated in the San Juan valley, which belongs 
largely to Dr. Thomas Flint, who is subdivid- 
ing it and putting it on sale. As yet, fruit- 



growing there is but an infant industry, and 
is just emerging, as it were, from an experi- 
mental period. San Benito county is now 
able to take its stand among the other fruit- 
producing counties of the State, and will aid 
them in meeting the constantly increasing 
demand for California fruit, — a demand that 
is increasing marvelously, not only in Amer- 
ica, but in all civilized countries where fruits, 
preserv >d and dried, are coming to be re- 
garded, not so much as luxuries, but as ne- 
cessities. In a year or two, Bonnie Brae 
farm will add its quota to the tons of fruit 
that are being shipped from Central Cali- 
fornia. 

Besides horticulture, Bonnie Brae farm 
is also devoted largely to fine stock, there 
being on it a herd of about fifty thorough- 
bred Holstein cattle, the original stock 
of which was imported from Pennsyl- 
vania, and the bull at the head of the herd 
from New York. At the recent annual State 
fair, at Sacramento, the herd had four entries, 
secured one first and two second premiums. 
It also has one of the finest poultry yards in 
this section of the State, includino' the hio-h- 
est grade of domestic fowls. 

The able superintendent of this vast entei-- 
prise is J. A. Scholefield, the subject of this 
sketch. Mr. Scholefield is a native of Ger- 
many, and came to America in 1866, when 
only seventeen years of age, iiaving been born 
November 18, 1848. His father, M. H. 
Scholefield, was a wholesale merchant in 
the city of Hamburg. 

Our subject was very poor when he landed 
in America, but possessed one faculty that 
eventually was of more benefit to him than 
mere riches would have been, that of cultivat- 
ing and caring for fruits and plants. He 
had studied and labored in the field of scien- 
tific horticulture from his youth up, and 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



251 



located in Grundy county, Iowa, where he re- 
mained for about fifteen years. In 1882 he 
came to California to take charge of a ranch 
for John Campbell, in Santa Clara county. 

Mr. Scholetield was married in Indiana, in 
1888, to Miss Celia Zimmerman, a native of 
Ohio, and two children have been born to 
them, namely: Crighton W. and Arthur H. 



fAMUEL BLACK, a repected citizen of 
Castroville, has been a resident of Cali- 
fornia, since 1863. 

He is a native of Indiana, born in Posey 
county, January 15, 1821. His father, .lames 
Black, was a native of North Carolina, and a 
pioneer of Indiana, having located in Pusey 
county at an early day, where he lived and 
died. He was a miller by trade and occupa- 
tion, and built one of the first grist mills in 
Southern Indiana. Samuel Black was there- 
fore reared a miller. In March, 1846, he 
was united in marriage witli Nancy A. Stall- 
ing, a native of Indiana. 

The earlier years of his life Mr. Black de- 
voted to milling in Indiana. In 1863 he 
came to California. He engaged in the mill- 
ing business at Los Gatos until 1869. He 
was also at Soquel, Merced Falls and So- 
noma. Then he came to Castroville, and has 
since resided here. He and his son, Victor 
D., purchased the Castroville mills in 1880, 
of Mr. George Chalmers, and in 1887 sold 
the same to the Central Milling Compmy. 
The machinery was soon removed therefrom, 
and Mr Black repurchased the building and 
ground. He has introduced a I)arley-crush- 
ing mill into the building, and propels the 
same with a gasoline engine, the first engine 
of the kind used for a like purpose in Monte- 
rey county. 



Following are the children born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Black, three of wliom are living: 
H. C, born May 18, 1848, now of Oakland; 
Julius, born May 1, 1850, died July 10, 
1852; Julia A., born January 20, 1853, was 
married June 1, 1870, to Professor J. G. 
Kennedy, of San Francisco. She died Janu- 
ary 14, 1874, leaving one daughter, Julia 
May, born January 7, 1874. Victor D., born 
August 11, 1855, is superintendent for the 
Central Milling Company, at Salinas; Esther, 
born April 14, 1858, is now Mrs. J. R. Cran- 
dall, of 46 Liberty street, San Francisco. 

Mr. and Mrs. Black are among the most 
highly respected people of Monterey county, 
and live in comparative retirement at Cas- 
troville. 



fG. HARDWICK, a resident of Pai- 
cines and a pioneer of the Golden 
** State, is well known in the agricultural 
and political circles of San Benito county. 
He came to California in 1853 from Edgar 
county, Illinois, crossing the plains with a 
regulation, early-time, overland outfit, and 
coming over the mountains via the northern 
route. 

Mr. Hardwick was born in Greenup county, 
Kentucky, April 20, 1835. His father, J. W. 
Hardwick, a farmer and stock-raiser, came to 
California in 1850; merchandised at Coloma 
and Placerville, and returned East in 1851 
for his family. In 1853 he brought his family 
to California, located in Eagle Gulch, Plumas 
county, and transferred his business to that 
point. Two years later he moved to Santa 
Clara to educate his children, and bought a 
ranch near San Jose. In 1872 he came to 
San Benito county, lived two years on Tres 
Pinos creek and then settled in Hollister, 
where he died in 1878. Of his six children. 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



four are living, viz.: Lucinda, wife of G. W. 
Moody; J. S., of Virginia City,-Nevada-, J.^ 
H., of Helena, Montana; and N. G. His 
wife, nee Lovey Pngh, a native of Virginia, 
died in Hollister in 1877. 

N. G. Hardwiek has been a life-long farmer 
and stock-raiser. His home farm consists of 
200 acres, and is located on Tres Finos creek. 

Mr. Hardwiek was married at San Jose, 
January 1, 1867, to Miss Mary Dean, a na- 
tive of Illinois, and a daughter of Isaac Dean. 
They have live children: John W., Effic J.. 
Matilda M., Charles N. and Howard II. 



mm- 



PAVENFORT BKOMFIELD, Esq., of 
Kedwood City, California, has been a 
resident of this State since 1883. He 
is a native of Australia, born in 1862, son 
of James A. Bromlield, a chemist. 

Mr. Bromfield served a four years' ap- 
prenticeship as a Civil Engineer, and thor- 
oughly prepared himself for the profession 
he had chosen. He served two years as 
Deputy County Surveyor of San Francisco 
under George Rogers; was subsequently em- 
ployed by the Southern Pacific Railroad Com 
pany, as Civil Engineer, and in 1890 was 
elected County Surveyor of San Mateo county. 
The latter position he isat present occupying. 

In 1879, previous to his coming to Califor- 
nia, he was united in marriage with Mary 
Ware, by whom he has two sons and two 
daughters. 

M. R. FARKER is a native of Bos- 
ton, Massachusetts, born Novem- 
IH^J® ber 15, 1837. He availed himself 
of the ed ucational advantages for which that 



city is celebrated, attending the Quincy 
grammar school and the English high 
school, and graduating at both. Before 
reaching his majority he was employed in 
a commercial house, acting as clerk. 

In 1856 he resolved to visit California, 
and, directing his steps hither, he arrived 
in San Francisco, where he remained for two 
years, employed in surveying. He then 
drifted up to Colusa county, laid out the 
town of Frinceton, being one of its orig- 
inal founders, and opened a general store there. 
He continued in this business till the fall of 
1858. Looking about for a suitable location, 
he found himself in Sonoma county, where 
he taught school on Mark West creek till 
the latter part of 1861. His next move was 
to Monterey county, in January, 1862. 
Here he engaged in farming, putting in a 
crop on what is now known as the Beet 
ranch, near Castroville. Mr. Parker had 
proved himself capable and able to follow 
almost any useful pursuit, his versatility 
being early recognized in Monterey county, 
and he turned from farming to enter the 
office of the County Clerk as Deputy, in 
November, 1862, under George W. Bird. 
The latter however, failed to qualify on his 
re-election, and Mr. Parker was appointed 
County Clerk in March, 1864, holding the 
office till March, 1868. Ne.\t he was ap- 
pointed Under Sheriff to Thomas Watson, 
serving in that capacity from 1868 to 1870. 
He left his previous employment at the call 
of the people to serve four years as County 
Clerk, his term of office expiring in 1874. 
At this time the county was divided (San 
Benito county being organized), and Gover- 
nor Booth appointed him County and Probate 
Judge, which office he filled two years. 
Since then he has resided in Salinas, and 
devoted himself exclusively to the practice 



AND HAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



253 



of law, having been associated with Hon. N. 
A. Dorn from 1878 till January, 1881. 

He was married in 1863, to Miss Lola Dutro, 
of Monterey, and their union is blessed with 
nine children. 

In his law practice, Judge Parker makes a 
specialty of the land business. His knowl- 
edge of the Spanish language, of the intrica- 
cies of the old Spanish boundaries, together 
with a thorough understanding of the Span- 
ish system of jurisprudence, have caused him 
to be regarded as the most accomplished 
authority on land titles in this part of Cali- 
fornia; hence his services in this depart- 
ment are much sought after. 



fHILIP OYER, Esq., one of the most 
worthy citizens of Pacific Grove, has 
been a resident of the State of Califor- 
nia since 1851, having come from Jackson 
couutj^ town of Springport, Michigan, He 
is a native of Cayuga county, New York, 
and was born in the town of Genoa, August 
11, 1834. His father (Philip Oyer) was born 
in Pennsylvania, of German parents, and he 
was by trade and occupation a stone-mason. 
His mother was also of German descent, and 
a native of the same place, her maiden name 
being Sarah Wagner. Mr. and Mrs, Oyer 
were blessed with eight children, our subject 
being the youngest child. 

Mr. Oyer's route overland to California 
was by way of the Carson river, and upon 
his arrival in the State, he like many others 
engaged in mining in Yuba and Placer 
counties, in which he had varied successes 
and failures. He then went into the logging 
business in El Dorado county, and furnished 
large quantities of pine and cedar logs for 
local mining and building purposes. 



In 1859 he removed to Nevada, where he 
engaged in freighting wood, quartz, etc., in 
the mining regions of this State. He also 
embarked in the butchering business, and 
supplied Carson City and Virginia City with 
their meats, controlling the wholesale trade of 
those lively mining centers. He also engaged 
in the sheep-raising business on an extensive 
scale, and owned large herds numbering as 
high as 11,000 head. 

In 1864 he engaged in the same line of 
business in Fresno and Sacramento counties, 
on equally as large a scale for live years, when 
he shifted his base of business to New Mex- 
ico^ where he is still largely interested in 
cattle, 

Mr. Oyer was married June 21, 1876, to 
Miss Caroline Stolts, a native of California, 
and a daughter of Herman Stolts, a farmer 
of Sacramento county. SJie is, like her hus- 
band, of German descent. They have four 
children, namely: Daisy, born December 3, 
1877; Frank, born January 25,1880; Philip, 
born December 9, 1881, and William, born 
December 25, 1886. 

Mr. Oyer removed with his family to Pa- 
cific Grove, and there permanently located in 
1887, where he erected one of the most at- 
tractive homes in the city of beautiful cot- 
tacres by the sea. He has been and is still 
engaged in the lumbering business. Has 
invested liberally in local realty and takes a 
pride in the beauty and growth of the town 
of his adoption. The adjoining town of 
New Monterey is likewise receiving the bene- 
fit of his business push and enterprise, where 
he in partnership with Mr. R. L. Holman is 
erecting a substantial and attractive public 
house at a large expense, which is located on 
one of the most sightly eminences of the 
town overlooking the lovely bay of Monte- 
rey. 



MONTEREY, SAJSl BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



Mr. Oyer takes a becoming interest in the 
civil affairs of his locality, and is always 
found on the side of progress and good gov- 
ernment. 

fOSEPH A. KICHARDSON was born 
in Monterey, California, in 1847. Will- 
iam B. Richardson, his father, came 
from Maryland to California as early as 1830, 
locating in the town of Monterey. Here he 
wedded Josefa Soberanes, a daughter of one 
of the distinguished early citizens of this 
coast. She is still living and is now in her 
eightieth year. Joseph A. was reared in his 
native town and educated in her schools. 
He has made his home in or near Soledad 
for many years, a portion of the time engaged 
in ranching. He is now occupied in the 
harness-making business in Soledad. 

fGNACIO P. VILLEGAS.— The sub- 
ject of this sketch is a native of Lower 
California, having been born near Cape 
St. Lucas, October 3, 1848. His father, 
Francis Villegas, was born in Mexico, but 
took up his residence in Alta California 
in 1848. 

Ygnacio was reared a vicurio and from 
1849 to 1874 his parents lived in Monterey 
on the Pacheco ranch, and later on the Los 
de Paicenes and also at San Juan. Mr. Ville- 
gas followed the life of a vicurio until 1868, 
excepting the year 1858, which he spent in 
the mines of California. He received a liberal 
education at the Santa Clara College, where 
he studied telegraphy and since then has 
been in the employ of the Southern Pacific 
Railroad Company, with the exception of 



two years. He located at Soledad, May 15, 
1876. 

He married at San Juan, in 1871, Miss 
Gaudalupe Salgardo, a lady of California 
birth. She died in 1887, at Soledad, leaving 
a family of two daughters and five sons. 

Mr. Villegas is highly esteemed for his 
sterling traits of character, and is regarded 
by the railroad company that employs him as 
an astute and faithful employee. 

fOHN T. PREWETT, a successful farmer 
and one of the pioneers of Bear Valley, 
San Benito county, California, is a na- 
tive of Missouri, born in Cass county, De- 
cember 17, 1840. Samuel Preweft, his 
father, a farmer by occupation, was a native 
of Whitney county, Kentucky, and his mother 
was of Kentucky birth. Of their five chil- 
dren, John was the second born and is one of 
the two now living, his sister, Sarah, being 
the wife of Andrew Irwin of Bear Valley. 

John T. Prewett located in Bear Valley in 
1871. He is well known throughout San 
Benito county as an aggressive and enterpris- 
ing farmer, and by dint of his industry and 
business tact he has here developed a good 
farm and tine estate, having about 1,100 
acres. 

He introduced into San Benito county the 
first sawmill, in 1878; and in 1891 intro- 
duced the first successful traction engine. 

He was married December 19, 1860, in 
Cass county, Missouri, to Miss Elizabeth J. 
Rayburn, daughter of Alexander R. Rayburn, 
who was a native of Virginia. They had 
known each other from childhood, having at- 
tended the same school together. His father 
crossed the plains to California, in 1849, 
making the journey with ox teams. He first 



AND 8AN MATEO COUNTIES. 



engaged in mining at Georgetown, El Dorado 
county, and subsequently turned his attention 
to fanning in Sonoma county. Mr. and Mrs. 
Prewett have five children: Nellie E., Mar- 
garet B., Lizzie, Ray and Lena, 



SELIPE. N. GOMEZ, Esq., is a well- 
known citizen of Monterey, because of 
the active part he has taken in its 
business and civil development and of the 
historic prominence of his family in the 
State. 

His father, Rafael Gomez, was one of the 
conspicuous figures in California's Mexican 
history; coining to California from Mexico 
in 1830. Being an able and eminent lawyer 
he was sent as an advisor of Governor Manuel 
Victoria, Commander-in-Chief of tiie Mexican 
forces, and Mexican Governor of California 
during the year 1831. 

Victoria was an honest and an energetic 
officer, as well as aggressive, yet well mean- 
ing in the enforcement of the rules of good 
government. Disregarding the counsel of his 
friends, he made frequent short-cuts to justice 
by military methods, thereby exciting the 
people to revolution. His rule was there- 
fore decisive and brief, and, in 1832, he left 
the country in evident disgust. Gomez, 
however, had the respect and confidence of 
all law-abiding jieople and he remained in 
the State. 

His official acts were later passed upon 
and approved by the then home government 
at the city of Mexico. 

In 1831 he was grantee of the ranche 
Santa Rosa. He was a supporter of 
Figueroa's government, but resigned this 
position; and, in 1834, he was granted the 
Tulareitos ranche, and lield local offices in 



Monterey in 1835 and '36. He was also 
appointed Government Agent to Mexico, 
which honor he declined. 

He married, March 7, 1831, Josefa Estrada, 
to whom were born Felipe, the subject of 
this sketch; a daughter, Ysibela; and Juan, 
a prominent business man of San Francisco. 

Mr. Gomez lost his life in 1838, by an 
accident, being entangled in a lareta wliile 
looking after his stock on the Tulareitos 
ranche in Monterey county. He was born 
in the State of Jalisco, Mexico; was of Spanish 
decent, and a man of broad intelligence, a 
lawyer of fine legal ability, and possessed 
of a kind heart. His wife, Josefa Estrada, 
was a daughter of Mariano Estrada, a 
Lieutenant of Mexican Artillery, who was born 
at Loreto, Mexico, 1784, and came to Cali- 
fornia in 1797 with Arrillaga as Alferez of 
Monterey, which position he held for ten 
years, being Habilitado most of the time. 
He was granted the Buena Vista ranche for 
his efficient services as a soldier, military and 
civil officer, retiring from the public service 
in 1829. He was one of the most respected 
and influential men in northern California. 

Felipe Gomez is a prominent citizen of 
Monterey, and inherits many of the excellent 
traits of his illustrious father's character. He 
was born at Monterey, California, May 25, 
1832, and was educated at a Latin college in 
Guadalajara, Mexico, taking a classical and 
physiological course of study, receiving his 
diploma in 1848. He then returned to 
Monterey, where he has ever since resided. 
On December 12, 1870, he received the 
appointment of Postmaster at Monterey 
from Postmaster-General Creswell. He was 
again appointed to the same office, January 2, 
by President Chester A. Arthur, and held 
this position until the expiration of the term, 
April 4, 1887, when he turned it over to Ed 



256 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



Ingraham, Esq. Mr. Gomez was appointed 
Notary Public in and for the county of Mon- 
terey, by Governor Newton Booth, May 20, 
1874. He was married February 5, I860- 
at. Monterey, to Refugio, daughter of H. 
Sanchez, Esq., and they are the parents of 
the following children: 

Josefa, married in Santa Cruz; Coucepcion 
and Alex, (deceased), Mariana, Adelaida, 
Martha, Mary Y., Amelia (deceased), Charles, 
(married), Frank and Julio M. 

Mr. Gomez is an active man of affairs, 
strictly honorable and just in all his business 
dealings, and owns a line ranche near Pacific 
Grove, besides his city property in Mon- 
terey. 



fH. SLAVEN, one of tlie leading citi- 
zens of San Benito county, post office 
^^^ ® Baicines, is identified with both the 
farming and banking interests of the county, 
and for many years has also been prominently 
connected witii educational affairs. 

Mr. Slaven was born in Erie county. New 
York, October 21, 1837, on the farm where 
lie spent his boyhood and youth. His parents, 
P. and Eliza (Walsh) Slaven, were natives of 
Long Island, New York, and Westchester 
county, that State, respectively. They had a 
family of ten sons and one daughter. Owing 
to ill health, the subject of our sketch aban- 
doned farming and engaged in teaching 
school. He made four trips to California at 
various times. His first journey was in 
1866, via Panama. Here he continued teach- 
ing until 1882. He holds a life certificate to 
teach in this State. For a number of years 
he has been, and is still, a member of the 
County Board of Education, having always 
shown a keen interest in educational matters. 
Of late years he has been successfully en- 



gaged in farming. He owns a fine farm in 
San Benito county, his present home, and 
has landed interests in San Joaquin county. 
He is also interested in banking, being vice- 
president of the Farmers & Merchants' Bank 
of Holiister, one of the wealthiest financial 
institutions in California. 

Mr. Slaven was married June 7, 1859, to 
Miss Ellen Marr, a native of Boston, and a 
daughter of John Marr. They have six 
children: Thomas, Ellen, Isaac, Eliza, Ed- 
ward and James. Ellen is the wife of E. 
Chamberlain and lives in New York city. 



f HO MAS WATSON, a leading citizen 
of Monterey county, and an esteemed 
rancher of Corral de Tierra, is a native 
of Monterey, born June 14, 1834. 

His father, James Watson, was known also 
as Santiago, the Spanish for St. James, often 
by Spanish-speaking Californians so-called. 
He was one of the most prominent citizens of 
Monterey in his day. He was an Englishman 
by birth, and came to this country as a sailor 
on a trading vessel. He left his ship at Santa 
Barbara, and came to Monterey by land as 
early as 1823. Here he located and engaged 
in merchandising, becoming identified with 
local public matters. He wasone of about fifty 
citizens to organize a compania estranjera 
(meaning company of strangers) for the de- 
fense of Monterey against forces from the 
interior, when, in 1832, the country was in a 
state of warfare. In 1834 he married Mariana 
Escamilla, by whom he had eight children. 
The year previous to his marriage he was 
naturalized, and afterward was often a mem- 
ber of the local legislature of Monterey. 
Hon. Thomas Larkin writes of him as "an 
educated, unambitious, honest man, not in- 



AJ>!D 8AN MATEO COUNTIES. 



257 



clined to politics." lie amassed a fortune. 
He bore the reputation of being a generous, 
open-hearted man; was a genial companion, 
and was ever true to his friends. In 1850 
he bought the San Benito rancho, consisting 
of a league and a half, and located with his 
family on the same. He was iinancially 
ruined by the drought of 1863, and died the 
following year. Mariana, his faithful con- 
sort, was a daughter of Thomas Escamilla, a 
Spanish soldier, who came to Mexico when 
that country was under Spanish rule, and 
there married a lady of Mexican birth. He 
was a soldier at the old Mission Dolores, San 
Francisco, and at that place his daughter 
Mariana was born. He finally retired from 
the army and removed to Monterey, where 
he died, leaving three sons and two daugh- 
ters. To James Watson and his wife were 
born the following named children: Frances, 
in 1830; Catalina, in 1833; Thomas, June 
14, 1834; David, in 1836; and Adolph, 
Marignacia, Narcisa and Anitas, all but one 
living at this date. 

Thomas Watson, the subject of this sketch, 
was educated in Monterey, and for many 
years followed the occupation of cattle-buyer. 
He later engaged in the butchering business, 
in which he was very successful. He served 
the people of Monterey county as Sheriff four 
successive terms, commencing in 1866, and 
voluntarily relinquished his hold to the office. 
Of recent years, although repeatedly urged 
to take a seat on the county board of Super- 
visors, he has witliheld from shouldering 
public responsibility. 

In 1855 he married Miss Louisa Moreno, 
a member of one of the old families of Cali- 
fornia. Santiago Moreno, her father, lived 
at Monterey and afterward at Salinas, she be- 
ing born at the latter place. Mr. and Mrs. 
Watson have ten children, the youngest at 



this writing (1892) being eleven years of age. 
Their home place consists of a fine ranch of 
800 acres, utilized as a dairy and cattle ranch. 
There is probably not a man in Monterey 
who is more popular with the masses, and 
who as a business man and citizen bears a 
more honorable name than Thomas Watson, 
Esq., of Corral de Tierra. 

fOSEPH SCHULTE, Jr., a success- 
ful merchant and esteemed citizen 
of Monterey, is a native of Rome, 
Oneida county, New York, born June 28, 
1851. He is of German parentage, his 
father, also Joseph, having been born in 
Prussia, Germany. He came to New York 
State, where he lived about five years, and 
then removed to Canada, but not being satis- 
fied there, he came to California with his 
family in 1873. He is a merchant tailor by 
trade and conducts a thriving business on 
Alvarado street, Monterey. His wife, Mary 
Fraver, likewise of Prussian birth, bore him 
four children, of whom two are now living, 
our subject and a sister, Mrs. Henneken, 
of Monterey. 

Mr. Schulte received his primary educa- 
tion in the public schools of Canada and 
afterward attended a convent school for six 
years, studying one year for the priesthood, 
but during that time became convinced that 
clerical life was not suited to him. He 
abandoned the study of theology, joining his 
parents on their farm, where he engaged in 
farming in Norfolk county, Canada, for some 
time. He later acquired the blacksmith 
trade, and afterward thoroughly acquired the 
watchmaking and jewelers' business. He 
came with his parents to California in 1878. 
They all pursued farming for about five 



258 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



yeans in the town of Vallejo, Solano county. 
Our subject tired of agricultural life, so, after 
three years of indifferent mining in Shasta 
countv, near Igo, he resumed his trade as a 
journeymau and traveled for three years 
more. He located in Monterey in 1885, 
opened a jewelry store, and has, from that 
date, been prospered financially and socially. 

Mr. Schulte was married at Monterey 
January 13, 1885, to Miss Eloisa Gutierrez, 
born December 1, 1866, daughter of Joaquin 
Gutierrez, who, in his day, was one of the 
most respected citizens of his State and town. 
He came to Monterey as early as 1831, from 
Mexico, on a ship under the command of 
Captain Juan Malarin. He was a native of 
Spain, and was an honorable, intelligent 
gentleman, who became connected with the 
history and military government of Monterey, 
commanding the esteem and confidence of 
all the military officers and governors of Cali- 
fornia. Upon his retirement frotn public 
life, he lived in independence until his death, 
which occurred December 1, 1872. He 
married, in Monterey, Donna Josepha Escobar, 
daughter of Don Marcelino Escobar, an early 
influential Spanish resident of Monterey, and 
in 1833, its Alcalde. He had fifteen children, 
twelve of whom are still living. 

One daughter has been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Schulte, October 25, 1885, and the fair 
young child died the following December, 
less than two months after its birth. 

Mr. Schulte is one of Monterey's most 
successful business men, and is a member of 
the local board of trade. As a citizen, he is 
enterprising and universally popular. Fra- 
ternally, he has more than a local reputation, 
as he is a foremost and important member of 
Chosen Friends, and has filled some of its 
most important offices; he is the originator 
of the Y. M. I., No. 57, of Monterey; was its 



first delegate to the fourth Grand Council, 
and was there appointed one of its Grand 
officers. He has since represented his society 
at the sixth and seventh Grand Councils, con- 
vened respectively in San Francisco and 
Watsonville in 1890 and 1891. He is a 
member of Institute, No. 109, of San Fran- 
cisco, and was appointed Grand Deputy for 
Salinas, where he has organized No. 88 of 
that city; also, he was the first delegate to 
the Grand Council of Chosen Friends, April 
12 to 16, San Francisco, Cal. 

It is such men as Mr. Schulte that every 
prosperous city needs, and his energy and 
good citizenship are a credit to Monterey. 



fAMESB. SNIYELY, oneof the repre- 
sentative men of Monterey, was born 
near Buffalo, New York, October 21, 
1835. He enlisted in the Thirty-Eighth 
Illinois Infantry, August, 1861, and served 
three years; being mustered out at At- 
lanta, Georgia, October, 1864. The rigors 
of a soldier's life had left him an invalid; so 
he resolved to seek a more congenial climate, 
and, as California seemed to promise such a 
climate, he emigrated to this State, arriving 
in 1868, and the following year engaged in 
the lumber business with Capt. T. G. Lam- 
bert. 

In 1873, he was appointed Wells, Fargo 
and Company's agent at Monterey, and has 
held that and the Western Union Telegraph 
office ever since. 

He was the first president of the Board of 
City Trustees under the new incorporation. 
He is connected socially with the G. A. K., 
I. O. O. F. and F. & A. M. 

He has two brothers, Richard and Daniel, 
the former a successful dairyman and fruit- 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



grower in the Carmel valley, ten miles from 
Monterey, who arrived in California in 1863. 
The latter brother, Daniel, is a successful 
fruitgrower in Santa Clara county, having 
come to the State in 1868. 

Mr. Snively is a highly respected gentleman 
and faithful employe of the company whom 
he has served for so many years. 



fW. STEDMAN, the subject of this 
sketch, was born fifty-two years ago, 
® in Cortland, New York, from New 
England stock. He came to California in 
the year 1858, and first settled in Marin 
county, where he engaged in dairying. From 
there he went to Contra Costa county, where 
he followed stock-raising and butchering; 
thence to Solano county, where he engaged in 
butchering and merchandising; thence, in 
1869, to his present place of residence, Qui- 
nadoCaiion, about six miles from Kings City, 
Monterey county. Here he has engaged in 
various pursuits, keeping a feed yard and 
boarding-house, and doing a blacksmith busi- 
ness, and drifting eventually to farming and 
stock-raising, in which he has been eminently 
successful. The soil in this vicinity is espe- 
cially adapted for grain culture and fruit, and 
the wheat he raises is classed as A No. 1 Mill- 
ing. He owns 760 acros of land, but farms 
several hundred acres more belonging to 
other parties. 

Mr. Stedman married Miss Griselda A. 
Bradley, of Sebastopol, Sonoma county, Cali- 
fornia, October 21, 1873. The result of this 
union is five sons and one daughter, namely: 
Alvirus, born in 1874; Maud, 1876; Albert 
C, 1878; Walter Scott, 1881; Ray Bradley, 
1886; and Jack, 1890. 

Mr. Stedman has held the office of Clerk 



of the Board of School Trustees, and Justice 
of the Peace for many years. In the year 
1879 he was nominated for Sheriflf on the 
New Constitution ticket. The ticket, being a 
side issue, was defeated. 

He is a cousin of H. D. Coggswell, of 
San Francisco, James P. Coggswell, of Oak- 
land, and William Coggswell, the artist and 
owner of the celebrated Madraville mines. 
Personally, Mr. Stedman is large, muscular, 
of good presence, and stands high for his in- 
tegrity in the community in which he lives. 



fAPTAlN THOMAS GRAFTON LAM- 
BERT. — There are few names more 
familiar to the people of Monterey and 
adjoining counties than that of Captain Lam- 
bert. He belongs to a class of sturdy pio- 
neers who came to California at a time when 
her future was very uncertain. It was be- 
fore her mineral wealth had been developed 
or even discovered. The American flag had 
only a few months waved on the shores of 
the California coast. Her constitution had 
not yet been formed, and her individuality as 
a State of the Union was as yet unestab- 
lished. There are now comparatively few men 
living who took a part in those early-day 
scenes and events of California's infancy, and 
it is therefore fitting and profitable that ap- 
propriate and becoming note be made on the 
pages of history, touching the influences 
which directed the path of the men whose 
mature lives have made the past history of 
this coast. 

Captain Lambert is a natis'e of the Old 
Colony State of Massachusetts, born in Dukes 
county, January 10, 1826. His father, Thomas 
H. Lambert, was of New England ancestry, 
which dates back to 1662, when the founder 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



of the family emigrated from England. His 
mother, Lydia West, was likewise of English 
extraction and a member of an old Massachu- 
setts family. Thomas H. Lambert was a man 
of affairs. He served the public as Sheriff of 
Dukes county thirty-nine consecutive years. 
He was a man of intrepidity, undaunted 
courage and cool judgment, and left to his 
posterity a most honorable name. 

Of his family, which consisted of tliree 
sons and seven daughters. Captain Lambert 
is the oldest, and the first one to leave his na- 
tive State and deal in tlie uncertainties of life 
in the then almost limitless West. He had re- 
ceived a good common-school education in his 
native county, and inherited a strong constitu- 
tion and many of the pronounced qualities of 
his sturdy father, and had developed a vigor- 
ous intellect. As opening the way to the 
gratification of a desire he had always felt for 
travel and seeing the outside world, he at 
the age of twenty- one years went to sea. He 
shipped on a Kew Bedford whaling vessel, the 
John Cogswell, and reached the Pacific coast 
in 1847. He remained on the coast, with 
but two brief interruptions, up to 1855, from 
which date he made the post of San Fran- 
cisco his point of departure and return, and 
up to the year 1869 engaged in no other busi- 
ness than that of a mariner. From 1855 to 
the close of his life on the seas he was master 
of a ship, during which time he visited 
all the ports of the west coast, and likewise 
most of the seaports from Cape Horn to 
Southern China. His numerous and extended 
cruises took him from time to time to all the 
various important islands of the Pacific, and 
he captured whales in every sea and clime 
where they have been pursued by man. 

In 1879 he abandoned the seas, located at 
Monterey, and established himself in the lum- 
ber trade, in which business he still continues. 



No citizen has become more thoroughly 
identified with the material interests of this 
section of California business, civil and social, 
than Captain Lambert. Typically a business 
man, he has aimed to confine his energies in 
strictly business channels. 

In political matters, he has been in a meas- 
ure aggressive. A Republican in principle 
and action, he has persistently worked for and 
with his party, and, being a man of methods, 
broad information aud forcible argument, has 
done his party valuable service. He has never 
sought political favors and never willingly be- 
came a candidate for any office. He was, 
without his own effort, nominated and elected 
to the office of Justice of the Peace of Mon- 
terey in 1878, and held the office for six 
years. The promptness and efficiency with 
which he administered justice is well known 
to be beyond reproach, and needs no com- 
ment. 

Fraternally, Captain Lambert is a promi- 
nent figure on the coast. He was initiated 
an Apprentice in the order of Free and Ac- 
cepted Masons May 5, 1862; has passed the 
various degrees of the order to the Knight- 
hood, and is a member of the Watsonville 
Commandery of Knights Templar. He has 
for some years been a member of the Masonic 
Veterans' Association, and is now its efficient 
first Vice-President. He has served the order 
as a Master Mason since November 4, 1862, 
a period of almost thirty years. 

Captain Lambert is a public-spirited and 
patriotic citizen. He inherited a love of 
liberty in its broadest sense, and in early life 
became imbued with the western spirit of 
progress. He is versatile in conversation, 
genial and courteous in manner, and eloquent 
as a public speaker. Not infrequently is he 
called upon to do the honors of public occa- 
sions, such as in the course of events naturally 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



take place in dignified and historic Monterey. 
It is such men as Captain Thomas G. Lam- 
bert who have laid the foundation of empire 
in the Golden West, have remained with it, 
fostering its interests, and must soon leave it 
as a proud heritage to the coming genera- 
tions. 



fOHN TOMAS is a fair representative 
of a class of men who have paved their 
own way over rugged paths to success. 
He is a resident farmer of San Benito county, 
coming to California with his parents in 
1853. He was born October 28, 1843, and 
Ills father was Massey Tomas. Upon arrival 
in California lie, father of onr subject, located 
at Gilroy, Santa Clara county. He had iirst 
come to California to the mines in 1849, but 
returned to Missouri and brought the familj', 
four years later, consisting of seven sons and 
one daughter and his wife. 

John Tomas is one of twins and the fourth 
in the family. He received a liberal education 
in Santa Giara county and grew up a farmer 
and stock-raiser, coming to San Benito county 
in 1870, where he took up a squatter's claim 
of government land on San Benito creek. He 
has acquired the title to his first claitu and 
has added to it until he now has 1,000 acres 
of tillable and grazing land. Before he was 
twenty-one he went to Arizona, in the fall of 
1863, and there washed his first gold dust 
and assisted in killing his first Apaches. He 
traveled and prospected two years in that 
healthful zone; was one of a company of 100 
men who elected Colonel Ring S. WoUsey, 
their commander, the purpose of which was to 
prospect the headwaters of the Gila and Salt 
rivers, and in so doing discovered the wheat 
patch, planted by Apaches, between Penal 
mountain and Salt river. Richard Gird, the 



sugarfactory man of Los Angeles county, was 
made one of their captains. Gold was found 
in various places, Init not in paying quantities. 
Three men were killed in this expedition, 
one by Indians and two by carelessness. Mr. 
Tomas returned to California in 1867. 

His marriage occurred in 1878, to Miss 
Agnes Duval, a daughter of Thomas Duval. 
Her father died when she was yet a small 
child. The place of her birth was Napa 
county, California, occurring September 25, 
1859. She is a lady of excellent domestic 
and business qualifications, and has borne her 
husband five children, namely: Florence, born 
November 7, 1879; Myrtle, born June 28, 
1881; Minnie B., born May 7, 1883; Grover 
C, born February 19, 1886; and Marion M., 
born May 1, 1887. They are all bright 
intelligent children. 

Mr. Tomas is a man of enterprise and 
broad general information and strong con- 
victions. He is classed among the most suc- 
cessful farmers of San Benito county. 



RS. ANNA GALLANAR, editor and 
proprietor of The Pacific Grove Re- 
view, is a native of New Franklin, 
Howard county, Mo.; a daughter of Adam 
Lohry. He was a native of Germany, and by 
occupation a merchant. He was married at 
Louisville, Kentucky, to Miss Susanna Deer- 
ing, and emigrated to California in 1853, locat- 
ing at Lotus, El Dorado county, where he for 
the remainder of his life engaged in merchan- 
dising. He died in 1880. 

Of the ten children of his family, Mrs. Gal- 
lanar was the fifth. She enjoyed the blessings 
of a happy home circle and received a thorough 
schooling, and at the age of twenty- tour mar- 
ried Geo. W. Gallanai'. After marriage they 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CltUZ, 



made their home in San Francisco, where 
they resided until 1888, when they came to 
Pacific Grove. 

In 1889 Mr. Gallanar commenced the pub- 
lication of the Pacific Grove Review and con- 
ducted the same until Mrs. Gallanar assumed 
control in 1890. The following year she be- 
came sole owner and editor of the Review, 
and now conducts its publication. Mrs. 
Gallanar's management of the paper has 
proven a marked success. She is by instinct 
and inclination a journalist, admirably fitted 
to edit end publish a journal such as the cul- 
tured and ethical people of Pacific Grove 
demand. 

Mrs. Gallanar is a lady of irrepressible de- 
termination and force of character. She also 
possesses a hopeful, sunny nature, these notable 
traits of character giving a strength and luster 
to her writings that constitute a valued and 
happy feature of the Pacific Grove Review^ 
mention of which will be found elsewhere in 
this volume. 

fUNCAN STIRLING, of Castrovilie, a 
native of Canada, was born in that one 
of Her Majesty's possessions, August 
18, 1864. He is the youngest son of Will- 
iam Stirling, of Castrovilie, a sketch of whom 
may be found elsewhere in this book. 

Our subject came to the Golden State 
with his parents and received his education in 
the public sciiools of Monterey county. Later, 
he attended the State Normal School, at San 
Jose, at which institution of learning he 
graduated in the class of 1886. Mr. Stir- 
lino- first taught school near Santa Ana, 
Orange county, California. He is now the 
efficient principal of the public schools of 
Castrovilie, which position he has filled for 



the past three years, and stands in the front 
ranks of Monterey county's progressive corps 
of teachers. 

Mr. Stirling was married, May 29, 1889, to 
Miss Ella, the accomplished daughter of J. 
W. Mullis, of Castrovilie, a native of Sonoma 
county, born August 22, 1866, and she and 
her husband enjoy the respect and esteem of 
all who know them. 



|g.ON. THOMAS RENISON, editor and 
Jml o^"^"" °^ the Gonzales Tribune, one of 
"^11 influential newspaper journals in the 
State (notice of which will be found else- 
where in this work), and a resident of Gon- 
zales, Monterey county, and also the presen- 
representative of the Sixty-ninth District in 
the Assembly, was born in the county Tipper- 
ary, Ireland, in 1850. He came to California 
in 1868, and located in Monterey county in 
1869, beginning life here as a farm-hand. His 
education had been obtained in the common 
schools of Ireland, and after coming to this 
county he studied law by himself, being ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1881. In 1879 he was 
elected Justice of the Peace at Salinas, serv- 
ing one term. He was appointed Deputy 
District Attorney under J. A. Wall, and was 
elected to the Assembly in 1886, and again in 
1888, by a large majority. From the first he 
took a leading position on the floor of the 
House, and at once became one of its most 
influential members. He has been the author 
of several bills and resolutions of importance, 
and has taken no uncertain position on all 
questions involving the rights and privileges 
of his constituents. Mr. Renison is a married 
man, very domestic in his tastes, and fond of 
his home and its comforts. 

Retiring in manner, yet in debate " forcible. 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



aergressive, losrical, and convincit)^ " he is 
destined to many years of usefulness, as the 
people will not fail to take advantage of his 
abilities in the future, as in the past. His 
career is a shining exemplification of the truth 
that if the true metal is in a man it will be 
made manifest in spite of poverty, obscurity, 
and difficulties to overcome. Let no man sit 
down to wait hisopportunity, but rather, with 
his own hands and brain, shape it for himself. 



fHOMAS S. HAWKINS.— The leading 
spirit of 8an Benito county, the man 
above all others to whom the com- 
munity looks in matters of public moment, 
who for years has been its acknowledged 
leader, whose advice is sought and opinion 
respected in all questions of importance, is 
Thomas S. Hawkins, president of the bank of 
HoUister. 

Born in Marion county, Missouri, in the 
year 1836, Mr. Hawkins is now in his fifty- 
fifth year. ' His early life was passed on a 
farm, and despite the disadvantages surround- 
ing young men in Missouri fifty years ago, 
he managed to secure a good education. 
Laboring on the farm until sixteen years of 
age, he attended a local school, teaching in 
the meanwhile some of the younger pupils. 

In 18G0 he turned his steps to the West. 
Accompanied by his wife and infant son, he, 
with some neighbors, successfully made the 
long journey across the plains, and attracted 
by the fertility of the Santa Clara valley he 
located there and engaged in the occupation 
of farming. He remained there until 1867, 
and by economy and good management found 
himself in vastly improved circumstances. 
In 1868 the San Justo Homestead As- 
sociation was organized, having for its object 



the subdivision of a portion of the San Justo 
rancho, in Monterey county. Although hut 
thirty-two years of age, Mr. Hawkins was the 
leading spirit in this gigantic task, and the 
prosperious town of Hollister, with its sur- 
rounding fertile farms, now mark the result 
of their labor. Arriving on the ground be- 
fore the town was laid out, he secured two of 
the subdivisions, amounting to 340 acres, 
immediately adjoining the town site on the 
south. As the village commenced to grow, 
by skillful management in the disposal of 
lots he directed its growth toward his land, 
and soon one ranch of 170 acres was disposed 
of at a great advance, and a portion of the 
other was also on the market. With the 
money thus realized he, with others, founded 
the Bank of Hollister, in 1873. Chosen to 
be its first president, he has retained the 
position ever since. This institution has 
been a powerful factor in the development 
of the resources of the county of San Benito. 
In the organization of the county, which was 
cut off from Monterey county in 1874, Mr. 
Hawkins was one of the most influential and 
indefatigable workers. Since then his po- 
sition as a foremost man in the community 
has never been assailed. 



fW. GREGG, Esq., of Monterey, is 
ranked with the pioneers of California, 
® having made the journey from the East 
to this coast in 1853, coming via New Or- 
leans and the Isthmus of Panama. 

Mr. Gregg is a native of Virginia, born in 
Loudoun county, December 8, 1828. His 
])arent8 removed to Ohio during the early 
settlement of that State, and located in Lick- 
ing county. Aaron Gregg, his father, was a 
farmer by occupation. His mother was be- 



MONTE RET, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



foie her marriage, Miss Elizabeth Fleinming. 
Both were natives of the Old Dominion. 
The father died in Ohio. Of their si.\ chil- 
dren, tlie subject of our sketch was the third 
born, and is the only one of the four now 
living who has settled in California. 

Mr. Gregg has been a life-long farmer and 
stock-raiser. He came to California with 
naught save a strong constitution, resolute 
purpose and willing hands, and commenced 
life by working on a farm and in a sawmill 
at Monterey. He farmed for sixteen years 
on the ranch owned by the Snively Brothers, 
in the Carmel valley, and had large numbers 
of cattle on the then open ranges. After 
about ten months' residence in Monterey, he 
purchased and moved to the place now occu- 
pied by William Hatton. He added to this 
acreage from time to time, until he owned 
1,270 acres of fine farming and grazing lands. 

May 9, 1868, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Lola Soberanes, a native of Mon- 
terey, and the second daughter of Don Ma- 
riano Soberanes. Four children have been 
born to them, namely: Elizabeth A., now 
Mrs. Thomas Oliver; Lola M., wife of John 
Sparolini; Mary A., wife of J. B. Steadman; 
and Joseph Gregg, at home. 

Mr. Gregg has disposed of his landed in- 
terests, and has retired from active life, living 
quietly at Monterey. He is an esteemed 
citizen, unassuming in his manner, and enjoys 
the confidence and respect of a wide circle of 
friends and old-time acquaintances. 



5ISS LOUISE E. FRANCIS, the gifted 
editor and owner of the Castroville 
Enterprise, is well known in the field 
of Pacific coast journalism as one of the most 
successful newspaper publishers on the coast. 




At the age of seventeen she left home and 
friends and started out into the world to gain 
an independent livelihood. Having received 
a thorough academic education and possessing 
a facile pen, she naturally drifted into literary 
work. She was soon tendered an editorial 
position on the Santa Clara Valley, a monthly 
horticultural journal published at San Jose, 
which she accepted, and became the editor of 
the household department of the publication. 
Later she acted as special correspondent for 
the San Jose Daily and Weekly Mercury. 

In 1890 she, in partnership with C. A. 
Peckham, established the Monterey Eater- 
prise at Monterey, California. The enter- 
prise proved financially unsuccessful and 
after six months the periodical was discon- 
tinued. In April, 1891, she began publish- 
ing the Castroville Enterprise, which she 
now owns. 

Through all her editorial work is seen her 
independent spirit and commeiidably aggres- 
sive newspaper policy, the inflence of her 
pencil being felt throughout the Salinas val- 
ley. Its tone is elevating and carries with it 
the assurance of success in all battles, where 
the principles of right are arrayed against the 
wrong. 

Miss Francis is a member of the Pacific 
Coast Woman's Press Association and her 
Enterprise is the official organ for the associ- 
tion. She is also a member of the National 
Editorial Association and assistant corre- 
sponding secretary for the same, she being 
the only member of the organization on this 
coast who was honored with a position on its 
staff of officers at their recent national con- 
vention at San Francisco. 

Miss PVancis relinquishes her editorial 
duties for a time to aid her associates in the 
national association work at the coming 
World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



1893. She is a bright and vivacious business 
woman, and her pencil is ever ready to grace- 
fully acknowledge all courtesies shown to the 
newspaper world to which she belongs. 

jANUEL R. MERRITT, Esq., a native 
son of California, born in Monterey, 
June 8, 1855, son of Hon. Josiah 
Merritt, deceased, a pioneer of California of 
1849, native of New York, born in Orange 
county, August 21, 1796. He received a 
college education in his native State, and then 
studied and entered the practice of law, being 
admitted to the bar in New York city, where 
he practiced his profession for several years. 
Later, in 1845, he located and pursued his 
profession in Illinois a short time, coming to 
California via the southern route through 
Texas, arriving in 1849. In January, 1850, he 
reached Monterey and took a somewhat active 
part in organizing Monterey county in 1851, 
and was chosen iirst County Judge, serving 
from 1851 to 1854. As a lawyer, citizen, 
jurist and friend he was able, fearless, active 
and true. He was twice married, tirst in 
New York, where his wife died, leaving two 
sons, Caleb, of Newbury, on the Hudson, a 
successful business man, and Sylvander, an 
engineer on the Erie railroad ; served as 
Mayor of Port Jervis, New York, and died 
in 1886. Josiah Merritt came to California 
and married a second time, in 1850, to Juana, 
eldest daughter of Simeon Castro, deceased, 
Judge of the First Instance under Mexican 
rule, and a prominent and wealthy Spanish 
citizen of Monterey. Mrs. Merritt was an 
amiable Spanish lady of unusual graces of 
heart and mind, and was greatly admired for 
her personal beauty. She was born June 24, 
1820, in Monterey, where she spent her entire 



life. Here she bore and reared an attractive 
family, and died February 27, 1889. Her 
children were: Joseph Merritt, born April 
19, 1851 ; Joseph, learned the art of printing 
in his native city, in the Monterey Gazette 
office, and was later one of the publishers of 
the Monterey Democrat, which he established 
and published for time, and also of the Cas- 
troville Argus; he was married in 1872, to 
Miss Annie Phillips, of Monterey, now de- 
ceased; in 1882 he was editor of the San Jose 
Mercury, and later, in 1884, on the editorial 
staff of San Jose Daily Herald. In August, 
1887, he engaged in real estate and died No- 
vember 21, 1887. He was a first-cla^s news- 
paper writer, and able with his pen, astute in 
business, kind of heart and of gentlemanly 
bearing. The living children are: Lavinia, 
Herlinda, Jennie and the subject. 

M. R. Merritt was born in the town of 
Monterey, June 8, 1855. He is the son of 
ex-County Judge Josiah Merritt, and was 
educated in the public schools of his native 
town. In 1869, his father having died, he 
left school and entered the office of the Mon- 
terey Republican., where he learned the 
printing business. He later became the 
editor and publisher of the Castroville Argus, 
and later published the Monterey Herald, in 
connection with E. E. Curtis, now telegraph 
editor of the San Francisco Chronicle. In 
1878 he engaged in mercantile business, 
which he followed for several years. In 1882 
he was elected Supervisor of Monterey county 
from the First District. He has been a 
delegate to the Democratic State Convention 
four times, and served as Secretary to the 
Democratic County Committee for several 
years, and is now Chairman of said County 
Committee. For several years he was Clerk 
of the Board of Trustees of Castroville Dis- 
trict, also Justice of the Peace, a Notary 



MONTEBET, SAN BENITO, SANTA OBUZ, 



Public and ex-Postmaster of that town. He 
is Past President of Gabilau Parlor, No. 132, 
of the Native Sons of the Golden West. At 
present ho is Chief Deputy in the County 
Assessor's office. 

Several years a^o he was married to Miss 
Lizzie W. Townsend, of Alameda. They have 
a charming home in Salinas city, and three 
children. 



§AVID RODERICK, a prominent busi- 
ness man of Monterey, and President of 
■^^ its Board of City Trustees, was born in 
North Fairfield, Maine, February 22, 1845, 
one of the eleven children of Francis and 
Catherine Roderick. His parents were both 
of English descent, and his father was a 
farmer. In his youth David was apprenticed 
to the trade of sash, door and blind making, 
and later learned, and for a time worked at, 
the trade of barber. He came to California 
in 1876, and here turned his attention to 
mining and merchandising, at which he was 
engaged for three years. He spent eight 
years in San Francisco, identified with a 
wholesale coal and iron business, and frcmi 
there came to Monterey. 

During the years of his residence in this 
city, Mr. Roderick has done much to advance 
its best interests. On locating here, he en- 
gaged in the real-estate business, and in part- 
nership with Dr. J. P. E. Heintz purchased, 
subdivided and put on sale the Oak Grove 
tract. The enterprise proved successful, and 
as a result a charming addition to Monterey 
is fast being developed. He also successfully 
handled other properties. He was one of the 
promoters of the Bank of Monterey, which is 
one of the most solid financial institutions of 
the State. In 1892, he engaged in the hard- 
ware business, also handling doors, windows, 



etc., and in this line does the leading busi- 
ness of the town. He has been active and 
foremost in the recent marked developments 
of Monterey, identifying himself with the 
various local enterprises. He is now serving 
his third year on the Board of City Trustees, 
and as ofKcial head of the city government is 
discharging his duties with credit to himself 
and his constituency. 

Mr. Roderick was married, February 13, 
1866, to Hattie S. Tozier, by whom he has 
two daughters, Mrs. F. A. Botsch, of Oak 
Grove, and Mrs. E. C. Mainwaring, of Oak- 
land, California. 

He has for twenty-five years been a mem- 
ber of the F. & A. M., St. John's Lodge, 
No. 1, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the 
second oldest lodge in the United States. 

l^lfASH ROHRBACK, one of the sub- 
K stantial farmers and highly respected 
citizens of Priest Valley, Monterey 
county, California, has been located here since 
the fall of 1871. He has under improve- 
ment about 300 acres of land, and has 400 
acres used as a stock range. 

Mr. Rohrback was born in Washington 
county, Maryland, April 28, 1842, son of 
Daniel Rohrback. The family subsequently 
removed from Maryland to Ogle county, Illi- 
nois, where they were residing when the civil 
war broke out. In 1863 the subject of our 
sketch volunteered his service for the Union 
cause, and served as a member of the Seven- 
teenth Illinois Cavalry until the war closed. 

After the close of the war Mr. Rohrback 
came to California. He first located in Con- 
tra Costa county, and from there came to his 
present farm. In 1875 he was married, at 
Watsonville, to Miss Clara, daughter of Eli 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



267 



Hughes. They have five cliildrei), Clara, 
May, Daniel, George and Ethel. Mr. Rohr- 
back is one of the School Trustees of his 
district. 

.., .I,;?.,;! i;ii.?i.i. .. . 

fW. MANKINS, who owns 160 acres 
oF fine land located about three miles 
* and a half from Paiciiies, San Benito 
county, is one of the representative farmers 
of this vicinity. 

Mr. Mankins was born in Madison county, 
Arkansas, January 14, 1842, son of J. B. 
Mankins. Ris father came to California in 
1850, mined on Mount Shasta and at Placer- 
ville, and subsequently returned to Arkansas 
and brought his family to this State, locating 
at Placerville, where he continued his mining 
operations. Later, he lived in Mariposa 
county and in other parts of central and 
southern California. In the meantime he 
made several visits East. On his fourth re- 
turn trip to California he died. This was in 
1876. He and his wife, ?iee Matilda Gibson, 
had seven children, three of whom are living, 
namely: James; Masa J., now a widow; and 
G. W., the subject of our sketch. 

Mr. Mankins was married in 1870 to Miss 
Arminda C. Watson, daughter of Jacob Wat- 
son, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in 
this work. She died October 22, 1876, leav- 
ing two children, Jacob and Charles. June 
16, 1877, Mr. Mankins wedded Mrs. Meg- 
gitts, of Tres Pinos Creek. 

J. CROW, of Hollister, California, 
was horn in Franklin county, Mis- 
• souri, January 21, 1842, son of 
Joseph and Cassia (Sullivan) Crow, the former 
of Scotch and the latter of Garnaan descent. 



Joseph Crow visited California in 1849. Af- 
ter mining in Placer county for a time he 
returned to Missouri, and still lives in Craw- 
ford county, that State. 

W. J. Crow came to California in 1862. 
He first lived on a farm at Gilroy, and later 
at Mountain Yiew and San Jose. He then 
came to San Benito county and located on his 
present place at Cienega. Here he owns 237 
acres of tilled land, under fence and good im- 
provement. 

Mr. Crow married Angeline Whitton, a 
native of Napa, California, and has six chil- 
dren: Joseph W., Annie Laura, Angeline, 
Emma, Warren and Hugh, 

Both socially and politically Mr. Crow 
stands high in San Benito county. He repre- 
sented his district on the County Board of 
Supervisors for the term of four years, from 
1884 to 1888. 



H. CROWE, a native of Nova Scotia, 
was born January 12, 1855. He 
learned the trade of harness-maker 
in his native land, and came to California, 
where he followed the same calling at Sacra- 
mento, Hollister and San Fi'ancisco. Later 
he engaged in the grocery business at Wat- 
sonville. 

At Blanco, November 11, 1885, he married 
Alice (Lewis) Bardin, widow of the late Jacob 
Bardin, who died January 1, 1879. Mrs. 
Crowe is the daughter of R. H. Lewis, origin- 
ally from Missouri, who spent the latter 
portion of his life at Salinas, and is now a 
resident of Santa Cruz. Mrs. Crowe was 
born in Sonoma county, July 5, 1860. By 
her former marriage she has one daughter, 
Lillie Bell, and she has borne her present 
husband two sons, namely, John W. and 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



Harvey J. Our snliject has recently taken 
up his residence in Santa Crnz, and engaged 
in merchandising. Both he and his estima 
ble wife are highly respected citizens of Santa 
Cruz, and Mr. Crowe is a very snccessful 
business man. 

fllARLES McINTYRE, a pioneer of 
Calil'ornia, came to this State in 1850. 
He crossed tlie plains, via St. Joseph, 
Missouri, spending two months in Salt Lake 
City and Utah. He came overland as a com- 
panion of General George E. Groves, who 
came to California for his health. Their 
route from Salt Lake City lay through Car- 
son and the Humboldt river route. At the 
head of the latter river they found a pack 
team and came into California at Ringgold, 
two and one-half miles from Weberville, 
and about the same distance from Hangtown. 
Our subject engaged in mining from Febru- 
ary to July, in 1851, on Bear river, with in- 
different success, however. He then engaged 
ill the hotel business in Sacramento, until 
February, 1852, when he engaged in farming 
in Santa Cruz county until 1865, since wliich 
time he has been farming near Castroville, on 
the Cooper ranch. 

The subject of this sketch is of Scotcli 
descent, and was born in Batton, Warren 
county. New York, May 15, 1830. His 
father. Garner Mclntyre, was a farmer of 
that town, who married Mariah Putnam, a 
lineal descendant of General Israel Putnam, 
and a native of New York. Garner Mcln- 
tyre emigrated to Dane county, "Wisconsin, 
in 1848, and of his nine children our subject 
is the fifth born. 

Our subject married, in 1860, Miss M. J. 
Buelna, a native daughter of California, born 



of Spanish parents, at Santa Cruz, February 
15, 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Mclntyre have had 
fifteen children, namely: Frank M., born De- 
cember 1, 1861; John B., born June 24, 
1863; Cordelia M., born March 12, 1865, 
and is now Mrs. William Gowanlock, of Sali- 
nas, and has two children, — Annie, born Oc- 
tober 20, 1885, and Charles William, born 
July 27, 1887. The third child of our sub- 
ject is Charles G., Iwrn December 1, 1866; 
next, William Henry, September 19, 1868; 
Jennie, August 9, 1870; Hiram J., January 
28,1873; Annie, September 25, 1874; Josie, 
April 16, 1876; Martha, January 23, 1878; 
Nellie, July 8, 1879; George, December 11, 
1880; Maggie, August 4, 1882; Addie, Au- 
gust 26, 1884; Eva M., June 17, 1888. Frank, 
the eldest, married Annie Bacon, of Salinas, 
and has three children, — Inez, born February 
17, 1886; Eunice, June 16, 1887; and Ver- 
nie, November 10, 1888. The second child, 
John, married Laura Bennett, of Soledad. 
Mr. Mclntyre is one of the substantial farm- 
ers of Castroville, and is higlily respected iu 
Monterey. 



fOHN C. MILLER was born in Clarke 
county, Iowa, February 6, 1855. At the 
age of eight months he was bereft of a 
father's care and protection, and he was reared 
by his grandparents. When he was eight 
years old he came with them across the plains 
to California, making the journey with ox 
teams. They first located at San Joaquin, 
where they remained two years, after which, 
in 1865, they went to Santa Clara; thence, in 
1868, to Hollister, Monterey county, now San 
Benito county. Young Miller engaged in 
ranching at an early age, and has ever since 
continued thus occupied. 

Mr. Miller has one brother living, at Coro- 



ANJ) SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



nado, San Diego county, California. He also 
has four half-brotliers and two half-sisters, — 
all in California. His mother is a resident 
of Stockton, this State, and is now fifty-six 
years of age. October 6, 1881, he married 
Miss Georgia Cumniings, by whom he has 
one son, Clyde, aged eight years. 

Although yet a young man, Mr. Miller is 
ranked with the pioneers of the State. He 
has been successful as a rancher and a busi- 
ness man, and as a citizen is honorable and 
«ipright. 

3^ATRICK HART, one of the well-known 
l^p farmers and respected citizens of Priest 
^t Valley, Monterey county, California, is a 
native of the Emerald Isle, born in 1830. 
At the age of twenty he came to America, 
landing in Quebec, where he remained two 
years. He subsequently spent some time in 
Wisconsin, engaged in lumbering, and in 
1859, came to California. Until 1861 he 
lived in the northern counties of the State, 
and at that time located on his present farm 
in Priest Talley. He raised the first crop of 
wheat ever raised in thisvalley, and threshed 
it in the old-fashioned way, tramping it out 
with horses. 

Mr. Hart was married iu Oshkosh, Wis- 
consin, to Miss Margaret Burns, a native of 

Tipperary county, Ireland, They have five 
children, viz.: Mary, wife of John Clayton; 
Ella, wife of Leroy Akers; Maggie; Kate, 
wife of William Wescott; and Thomas. 

fEDRO ZABALA.— This gentleman, 
though not himself boastful or vain, it 
is but just to remark, bears a name 
distinguished in the annals of Spanish his- 



tory, and is himself descended from one of 
the most noted families that did honor to the 
name. 

Mr. Zabala was born in Bilbao, Biscay, 
Spain, June 29, 1826. Although brought 
up in a fertile country, where the soil was 
generous and compensating, and where he 
was inured to farm life in childhood, he 
always evinced business tastes and aspira- 
tions. After studying in the government 
schools, he took a commercial course and was 
shortly afterward placed behind the counter 
as a clerk in his native city. 

In 1843 he set out for the west coast of 
South America, which so many of his coun- 
trymen had sought and where they had 
achieved fortune, and landed in "Valparaiso, 
Chili. There he was employed in a large 
importing and shipping house, and so thor- 
oughly adapted to the business did he show 
himself that after five years of service he 
was sent by his firm to San Francisco to dis- 
pose of a large cargo, and determine upon 
the expediency of opening up a branch house 
in that city which had become the cynosure 
of the commercial eye by reason of the 
wonderful gold discoveries. He arrived in 
San Francisco, February 20, 1849, disposed 
of his cargo, and, like many thousands of 
others, was lured to the mines. He pros- 
pected, with indifferent success, in what is 
now Calaveras county, and other localities. 
Tiring of the uncertainties of a miner's 
reward, he returned to San Francisco after 
an absence of a few months, intending to sail 
direct for Chili. Hearing of Monterey, of 
its climate and harbor, and that business was 
brisk and inviting there, he went to Mon- 
terey, arriving October 1, 1849. There he 
engaged in general merchandising, conduct- 
ing it profitably for nine years and laying 
the foundation of his present affluent posi- 



270 



MONTE BET, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



tiou. Having acquired large tracts of land, 
he retired from business and devoted his 
energies to the cultivation of the soil and to 
the raising of stock, in which he is still 
prosperously engaged. He has made Salinas 
his home for many years, it being convenient 
to some of his largest holdings. 

Mr. Zabala was married April 24, 1859, to 
Miss Anna Hartnell, a daughter of the dis- 
tinguished and highly esteemed pioneer, 
William E. P. Hartnell. Nine children out 
of the fifteen born to them are now living, 
and Mr. Zabala in the evening of his days is 
as blessed with domestic happiness and 
worldly goods as man could well desire. 

tARRY A. GREENE, of Monterey, is 
one of the foremost citizens of the 
county and a capitalist. He is a native 
son of California, and was born in San Fran- 
cisco January 12, 1852, and was a son of the 
late Hon. AVilHam Greene and Annie Eliza- 
beth Cotton Fisk, of Rhode Island. "William 
Greene was a pioneer of 18-49. He brought 
his bride to San Francisco that year on a 
wedding tour. The then infant seaport gave 
promise of so bright a future that they re- 
mained. He was one of eight children of 
William and Jane (Meredith) Greene, and 
was a grandson of General William Greene, 
conspicuous in English history of his day as 
a brave English officer. 

William Greene, the California pioneer, 
came to America when a mere youth. He 
was a shrewd, business man of affairs and 
upon locating in California he became closely 
identified with the growth of his city and 
went hand in hand with such men as Lick, 
Geary and others of his day and from year to 
year aided in shaping her civil and political 



policy, and he was made President of the first 
board of Alderman of the city of San Fran- 
cisco, and became the owner of large blocks 
of real estate in the city. He subdivided 
various tracts of land into additions to the 
city. The names. Van Ness avenue, Geary 
and Greene streets were named after those 
leading officers of the first government of San 
Francisco. He died August 1, 1870, leaving 
an honorable name and a valuable estate to 
his wife and heirs. Mrs. Greene still sur- 
vives and lives in San Francisco. She is a 
native of Rhode Island, and a member of a 
family that has been very conspicuous in the 
financial world. Her father, Francis Mel- 
bourne Fisk, was at one time one of the 
wealthiest men in New Orleans, and was an 
uncle of the famous Colonel " Jim " Fisk, 
whose name is familiar to the world as a bold 
and successful capitalist and railroad mag- 
nate. 

Of the five children of Mr. and Mrs. 
Greene, Clay Meredith is the oldest, being 
born March 12, 1850, and was the first white 
male child born in San t'rancisco. He is 
now a successful dramatic author of wide 
repute. Francis Melbourne is the youngest 
child, and is also a talented and a successful 
literary man. Harry Ashland, the second 
son, is the subject of this sketch. Clement 
Herbert died at the age of eight years, and 
the only daughter, Elizabeth, died at the age 
of five years. 

Harry Ashland Greene spent his boyhood 
and youth in his native city. He received 
the rudiments of his education from private 
tutors. Later he attended the public school, 
mission near Sixteenth street, and still later 
the city college on the corner of Geary and 
Stockton streets. Afterward he went to Santa 
Clara College. In 1866 lie took a course of 
study at the military institute at Poughkeep. 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES, 



371 



sie, New York, and in 1870 he went to Paris 
to resume liis studies, but the Franco- Prus- 
sian war broke out, throwing Paris in a state 
of siege, and he returned home. He then 
completed a commercial course of study at 
Pacific Business College and took up mining. 
Ue spent several years in the mining districts 
of Placer county, gaining a thorough knowl- 
edge of mining methods, and while yet a vouth 
in years dealt in mining properties and oper- 
ated in mines. 

Keturning to San Francisco he took a 
clerical position with George Babcock & Cu. 
large dealers in produce and grain. He re- 
mained with them for a few months, and then 
became a stockbroker. He remained with an 
active and influential member of the Stock 
Board until 1889, serving two terms as vice- 
president. In 1874 he, with his brother. 
Clay, organized the stock-brokerage firm of 
Greene & Co., but in a few months Clay 
drew out to follow his profession and owing 
to a serious illness our subject closed up the 
affairs of Greene & Co. in 1890, with an 
honorable record on the " Board " as the 
oldest commission stock-broker that had not 
succumbed to financial disaster. In 1886 
Mr. Greene built his present residence at 
Monterey as a summer home. Broken down 
in health he retired from active business and 
came hither to permanently reside. He is 
one of the owners of the JNew Monterey tract, 
which is fast developing into one of the most 
attractive and healthful resident points on the 
central California coast. 

The marriage of Mr. Greene took place 
July 31, 1873, to Miss Belle, daughter of the 
late Milton Little, of Monterey, a respected 
pioneer of whom extended mention is made 
in another part of this work. Mrs. Greene, 
Jr., is a native daughter of Monterey, a lady 
of rare social accomplishments and domestic 



tastes. They have one son, William, born 
in San Francisco, May 2, 1874, and a daugh- 
ter, Belle Ursula, born June 27, 1876, like- 
wise in San Francisco. 

During their residence in San Francisco, 
Mr. and Mr. Greene were active in social 
circles. He was a leading member of the 
Olympic club, S. F. Bycycle club, and a veteran 
of the National guards. He was one of the 
fathers of roller skating on the Pacific coast, 
and the game of Polo found recognition there 
on account of his individual efforts; and he 
originated a code of rules and regulations to 
govern Polo playing, which has been pub- 
lished, widely cii-culated, and has become 
standard authority. Mr. Greene is one of 
the oldest and most active members of the 
San Francisco Bicycle Club, a conservative 
organization, and served for a time as its 
chief. 

Since locating in Monterey Mr. Greene 
lived in coraj)arative retirement devoting the 
most of his time to the management of his 
personal business affairs until lately, when he 
originated the Monterey & Fresno railroad, 
and by his hard work for the people's inter- 
ests he has become immensely popular. He 
has invested liberally in the Bank of Mon- 
terey, and is a stockholder and officer in the 
Monterey Electric Light and Improvement 
Company and takes an interest in all matters 
tending to the prosperity of his chosen home. 
He is a man of broad culture and finds much 
pleasure in books and study. He is a student 
of nature and delights in the grandeur of his 
surroundings. His beautiful home is an 
evidence of his taste and judgment. 

Mr. Greene is a proud son of the Golden 
State, enthusiastic in the preservation of her 
history and the early landmarks, and it is 
safe to say that but for his vigorous protest 
old Cotton Hall, the place of California's 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



birth, would have been obliterated to give 
place to Monterey's public school buildings, 
which through Mr. Greene's efforts were 
built on a more desirable location, and on 
more spacious grounds, thus saving the grand 
monument to early California's industry, the 
place of the making of the iirst constitution 
of the Golden State. 

PAVID J. WATSON, of Hollister, is 
a California pioneer, who came to the 
State in 1849, being at that time ten 
years of age. His father, Jacob Watson, 
came originally from Virginia, lived two 
years in 'Missouri, and then started to Cali- 
fornia across the plains, with ox teams. 
He joined a train of sixty-four wagons which 
started from " Big Blue," near the present 
city of Omaha, and proceeded irregularly 
westward and over the Truckee route, leaving 
Salt Lake to the south. Jacob Watson was a 
teamster and wagon freighter by occupation, 
and worked his way to Sacramento by follow- 
ing his trade. He brought with him a wife, 
Phoebe Baldwin, and eleven children, which 
tlock was later increased to the number of fif- 
teen. Upon his arrival in California, he, like 
nearly all others in those days, was seized with 
the mining fever, and from 1849 to 1850 he 
spent his time in the diggings on the Ameri- 
can river, with gratifying success. He later 
lived in Sutter county, and in Grass Valley, an"d 
then in Nevada, coming at last to San Benito 
county, where he engaged in the stock busi- 
ness and merchandising, at San Juan. He 
died in 1874, when seventy-three years of 
age. Mrs. Watson is still living in San 
Benito county, on Tres Finos creek. Twelve 
of her fifteen children are still living, namely: 
Jonathan, deceased; James, living on Tres 



Finos creek; Henry, resident of Fresno 
county; Stephen, a prosperous farmer of 
Tres Finos; Hiram, deceased; David J., sub- 
ject; Nancy A., resident of Fhiladelphia, 
Pennsylvania; Julia M., Mrs. Harris of 
Downey, Los Angeles county, California; 
Sarah E., now Mrs. Mankins, of Santa Bar- 
bara county, California; Jane, now Mrs. 
Sheegle, of Fresno county; Arminda, de- 
ceased; Jacob, on Tres Pinos creek, living 
with his mother; John M., of Lompoc, Santa 
Barbara county, and Charles H., on Tres 
Pinos creek. 

David J. Watson was born in Scott county, 
Virginia, in the mountains of the Blue liidge, 
coming to this State, with his father, when 
he was still a very young lad. In his youth 
he was associated with his failier in his min- 
ing operations, and later in the stock-raising 
business, and at twenty-one he embarked in 
that business for himself. He located 824 
acres of stock range, at the head of San Juan 
valley, which he after a time converted into 
a farm, and operated it until 1888, when he 
sold out and retired to Hollister, where he 
owns a beautiful home. 

He married, in 1862, Miss Nancy J. Cox, 
dauo-hter of David Cox, a pioneer of Califor- 
nia, who crossed the plains from Missouri in 
1849. 

Mr. and Mrs. Watson have no children. 
They have the esteem and respect of all who 
know them. 



fLADDlUS F. RUBELL, a native of 
Greene county, Missouri, was born at 
Springfield, i5ecember 15, 1853. Three 
years after his birth his father, W. H. Ru- 
bell, emigrated to California, making the 
trip overland with ox teams. He was one of 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



the first settlers of the present city of Chico, 
California, where, in 1860, he built the first 
house. General Bidwell's home adjoined 
Mr. RubelJ's, but was l<)Cated outside the 
city limits. Mr. Rubell remained there un- 
til 1866, when he removed to Eugene City, 
Oregon, and in 1870 to Dallas, Polk county, 
Oregon. In 1884 he returned to the "Golden 
State," and located at Bitter Water valley, 
San Benito county, and there died December 
1, 1890. He was a native of Tennessee and 
married Mrs. Tabitha Johnson, a native of 
the same State. In his youth and early man- 
hood he pursued fanning, but later learned 
the trade of a carpenter, which occupation he 
followed for several years. Mr. Ilubell next 
learned the dentist profession and pursued it 
for the last thirty years of his life. The 
mother of our subject died in Oregon, in 
1867, leaving three children, of whom our 
subject is the oldest. 

Mr. Rubell, the subject of this sketch, re- 
ceived his early education at Eugene City, 
Oregon, and Salem, the same State. Later, 
he had the advantage of attending the La 
Creole Academy at Dallas. After finishing 
his course there he adopted school teaching 
as a profession, which he followed in Folk, 
Lane and Linn counties, Oregon, for six 
years. In 1878, however, he came to Cali- 
fornia and taught school for two years at 
Salinas, in Monterey county. In 1888 he 
taught in Priest Valley. San Benito county, 
for three terms and then came to Bitter 
Water. Mr. Rubell's ranch comprises 160 
acres of land, a portion of the Domingo 
Villa ranch, with ample stock range adjoin- 
ing. In the fall of 1891 Mr. Rubell em- 
barked in the nursery business, in partner- 
ship with Mr. B. F. Gruner. They have 
about 30,000 almond, apricot and peach 
trees. 



Mr. Rubell was married in Salinas, in 
1880, to Miss Emma, a daughter of Samuel 
Gruver, of Priest Valley. She was born in 
Stanislaus county, September 2, 1858, and 
has borne her husband three children, namely: 
William II., born August 26, 1881; Samuel 
G., born November 30, 1884; and Hattie A., 
born January 16, 1887. Since 1890 Mr. 
Rubell has been an active member of the 
Bitter Water Alliance, No. 30, which was 
the first alliance organized in the county and 
now has seventy-five members. He is Pres- 
ident of the County Alliance and Secretary 
of the Sub-Alliance. For four years he was 
a member of the San Benito County Board 
of Education, and for two years served as its 
president. In 1879 he was the Constitution 
candidate for County Superintendent of 
schools of Monterey county. As an in- 
structor Mr. Rubell was unexcelled, and the 
educational interests suffered when he aban- 
doned that calling for an agricultural one. 



I^UFUS H. SMALL, a well-known citi- 
T^. zen of Bitter Water valley, San Benito 
^^ county, has been a resident of the State 
since 1858, having arrived in San Francisco 
in May of that year. He is a native of the 
town of Bucksport, Hancock county, Maine, 
where he was born March 14, 1883. Upon 
arrival in California he spent one year on a 
farm, and in 1869 went to the red woods of 
San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties and en- 
gaged in lumbering for about sixteen years, 
but in 1871 he located on his present fine 
home in Bitter Water valley. 

Mr. Small was married in 1885, and the 
lady he chose to be the partner of his joys 
and sorrows was Miss Temperance Lewis 
Farnham, of Hancock county, Maine. Mr. 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA ORUZ, 



and Mrs. Small have three children, namely: 
Fred M., Elmer W. and Lena E. Mr. Small 
has been Road Master of his district for six 
years and is, at this writing (1892), the Peo- 
ples' Party candidate for Supervisor. Mr. 
Small is a man of energy and good standing, 
and is highly respected throughout the com- 
munity. 

tLFRED J. McCOLLUM.— This gentle- 
man is a native of Byron Center, Gen- 
esee county. New York, born Septem- 
ber 27, 1841. His early life was spent in 
farming and in other laborious occupations, 
and the education he acquired, which fitted 
him for the practical duties of life and use- 
fulness as a public official, was the result of 
some sacrifice on his part, coupled with a firm 
endeavor to succeed. He attended the pub- 
lic schools until he had reached his seven- 
teenth year, working hard in the summer 
and doing chores in the winter to pay for 
his board while he went to school. When he 
was nine years old his parents removed to 
Paw Paw, Michigan, and nine years later he 
went to Lake county, Illinois. He traveled 
for four years as an agent, and was employed 
as salesman for the same length of time in a 
store at Waukegan, Hlinois. In 1866, he 
tried his strength and fortune in the mines 
near Central City, Colorado; but, it not prov- 
ing a bonanza, he went back East, locating in 
Kenosha county, Wisconsin, where he farmed 
for four years. Later he engaged in the 
wood business. In 1876, during his resi- 
dence in Kenosha county, he was married to 
Miss Belle McDougall, by whom he has six 
living children. In 1876, and for three years 
thereafter, he held an important position as 
foreman of a large stock ranch at Ottawa, 
Illinois. 



In the fall of 1879, Mr. McCollum, ac- 
companied by his family, arrived in Califor- 
nia, and located in Salinas, where he has 
ever since made his home. The diversity of 
his experiences in the East had fitted him to 
till almost any position offered, and during the 
first six years of his residence in Salinas he 
was employed as clerk in the post office and 
store. For four years he served most ac- 
ceptably as Deputy Tax Collector; was after- 
ward elected Tax Collector by a popular ma- 
jority, and is now serving his second term in 
that office. 

tLEXANDER EATON, a citizen of Hol- 
lister, but a native of the State of New 
York, having been born there, January 
18, 1830, in Orange county. He is a son of 
John Eaton, a carpenter by trade, who was 
born, reared and died in the town of Mini- 
sink, the same county. 

Our subject learned the trade of black- 
smith in his native town, in 1845. After 
learning he pursued his chosen trade until 
1852, when he embarked for San Francisco 
from New York city, on the bark Fannie 
Major. He sailed around Cape Horn and 
reached his destination in safety. Mr. Eaton 
spent about three weeks in the mines, but 
then went to San Francisco and began practic- 
ing his trade. In 1857 he engaged in busi- 
ness for himself and pursued the same in San 
Francisco for about twenty years. At that 
time, on account of the poor health of his 
wife he was obliged to seek a more con- 
genial climate, and so came to Hollister, in 
1871, which place he has since made his 
home and place of business. 

Our subject has been twice married. His 
first wife was Martha Lockwood, a daughter 
of J. Lockwood, a farmer. She was born in 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



275 



Orange county, New York, and bore him 
three children. Her death occurred August 
8, 1887. Her children are: Edwin A., of 
Kings City; Charles L., who lost his life by 
an accidental discharge of a gun,July 2, 1887; 
and Ivy M. Mr. Eaton again married April 
18, .1888, this time Miss Nettie Brewton, of 
Placerville, California. 

Mr. Eaton is one of HoUister's most enter- 
prising and public-spirited citizens. He is a 
member of the City Board of Trustees, and 
is now serving his second term in that posi- 
tion. For eight years he has been Chief of 
the fire department of Hollister, and has been 
largely instrumental in putting and keeping 
it on its present sound footing and efficient 
working order. He takes an active interest 
in educational matters, and in every move- 
ment tending to benefit the people or the 
business interests of his town or county. 

fEORGE A. MOORE, a successful farmer 
and an esteemed citizen of Hollister, 
has been a resident of California since 
1857. Almost immediately after he came to 
this State he located in old Monterey county, 
and commenced work on the Hollister Grant 
for Flint »fe Bixby. He spent a brief time 
for the same firm in San Luis Obispo county, 
and in 1859 he engaged in business for him- 
self. He raised sheep on the open range of 
Santa Barbara county until the drouth of 
1864, after which he returned to Monterey 
county. The years 1868-'69 he spent in 
Los Angeles county. In 1870 he purchased 
1,070 acres of the Hollister grant, a part of 
which he has under a high state of cultiva- 
tion, and which produces a variety of fruits 
of excellent quality and flavor. Few if any 
farms in San Benito county are better watered 



or have better improvements than that of G. 
A. Moore. 

Mr. Moore was born in Somerset county, 
Maine, August 15, 1829. He married Miss 
Emma L. Carr, a native of Hallowell, Maine. 
They have six children, viz. : George H., Car- 
rie C., Arthur S., Irving W., Helen G. and 
Winfield R. 

j^EORGE M. ROBERTS is a California 
Hw pioneer of 1852, who came from Mis- 
^^ souri. He is a native of Mercer county, 
Kentucky, where he was born June 11, 1830. 
His father, John Roberts, was a native of 
Virginia, and a farmer by occupation, and 
lived and died in Kentucky, the latter event 
occurring in 1845. 

Our subject removed to Missouri and lo- 
cated at Independence, but remained there 
only one year, and then, in 1852, crossed the 
plains for California. Upon arrival in the 
Golden State he worked at his trade of car- 
pentry, in Yolo county. During 1855-'56, 
he mined in Plumas county, but again re- 
turned to his trade and pursued the same at 
San Jose. Finally he followed stock-raising 
for twelve years, from 1857 to 1869, in Con- 
tra Costa county. 

The marriage of our subject occurred in 
Independence, Missouri, where he was united 
to Rebecca Clevenger, daughter of Archibald 
Clevenger, March 4, 1852. She was a pio- 
neer of 1849, who lived for many years at San 
Jose, and is now a resident of San Diego. 
Mrs. Roberts was an estimable lady, who 
reared a family of four sons and three daugh- 
ters, all of whom are living. She died De- 
cember 27, 1877, and was interred in the 
cemetery at Hollister. After this lamentable 
event Mr. Roberts spent about six years 
traveling in the State, also in Mexico and 



276 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SAATA CRUZ, 



Central America, and in 1888 he returned to 
HoUister, wliere he has since resided. His 
energy in business and frugal habits have 
been rewarded by a competency. He owns 
valuable real estate in and about Hollister, 
where he has ever been esteemed as a citizen 
and known as a resolute and typical Califor- 
nia pioneer. 



tNDREW BLOMQUIST, the subject of 
this sketch, came to Monterey county, 
California, from his native land, Sweden, 
in the year 1868. Here he was first employed 
by Hon. C. S. Abbott, near Salinas, at §30 a 
month, taking his pay in calves. He had a 
good education in his own language, and 
speak the English language sufficiently to be 
understood. His father, also named Andrew, 
was born in Malmo, Sweden. His mother's 
maiden name was Kate Andresen. They 
were married about the year 1841, and to 
them were born five children, all of whom 
are living, namely: Anna born February 
20, 1842; James A., October 24, 1844; 
Andrew, December 6, 1846; Peter, in 1847; 
and Juana, in 1849. . 

After working three years for Mr. Abbott, 
Mr. Blomquist formed a copartnership with 
Charles McFadden, which lasted two years. 
It being dissolved, Mr. Blomquist engaged in 
business for himself — dairying and farming — 
near Chualar, Monterey county, where he 
now resides. In this enterprise he has met 
with eminent success. He now owns 5,000 
aci-es of land, valuable horses and hogs, and 
over 1,000 head of cattle. 

He chose for his life companion and wedded 
Miss Matilda Lenander, who was born in 
Orkolljunga, Sweden, February 24, 1858. 
This union resulted in the birth of live chil- 
dren, of whom four are living, namely: Mida 



Nervida, born March 11, 1881; Anna Louisa, 
deceased, born July 28, 1882; Ada Elizabeth, 
September 30, 1883; Andrew Bernhard, Sep- 
tember 5, 1885; Charlotte Christinia, Jan- 
uary 21, 1887. Mrs. Blomquist's untimely 
death occurred on the 3d of August, 1891. 
Mr. Blomquist still keeps his little family 
together, preferring to take care of them 
himself rather than to entrust them to 
others. 

As an honorable and upright citizen, Mr. 
Blomquist sustains an unblemished reputa- 
tion, his word being considered as good as 
his bond. He is economical, yet generous, 
and has good cheer for all who visit him. 
He is popular as a citizen, and more so as an 
employer. Doing an extensive farming and 
dairying business (milking about 150 cows), 
he, of necessity, keeps a large number of men 
around him, and many of them have been 
with him for years without making changes. 
Eschewing all vices and bad habits, he is a 
most exemplary man. 



tLEXANDER McCUNE, a prosperous 
farmer of San Benito county, Califor- 
nia, post office Hollister, came to Amer- 
ica in 1869, as an importer of Ayrshire cattle 
for the Grogan estate, and has since been 
identified with the interests of this county. 

Mr. McCune was born in the north of Ire- 
land, near Belfast, October 3, 1842, son of 
Andrew and Eleanor J. (Barn) McCune, both 
of Scotch ancestry. His father, however, was 
a native of New York city, born in 1807, and 
was by trade and occupation a boot and shoe 
manufacturer. He finally returned to Ireland 
and engaged in keeping a cab yard or livery 
stable. His mother was a native of the north 
of Ireland. 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



Alexander McCune is married, and has six 
children: James; Mary, wife of James Sted- 
maii; Charles, Thomas, Alexander and Mag- 
fi;ie, all save the oldest born in California. 

tOUIS B. JENKINS, a native son of Cali- 
fornia, was born at Stockton, September 
27, 1859, a son of John G. Jenkins, 
for many years a resident of San Joaquin 
county, and a prominent member of the State 
bar. This gentleman came to the " Golden 
State" in 1852, from Dodgeviile, Wisconsin. 
He was born in Tennessee, and married Mrs. 
Marella A. Rhodes in Wisconsin, a native of 
New York, of German descent, and our sub- 
ject, Louis B., is the youngest of her four 
children. 

Louis B. Jenkins was reared in Stockton, 
graduated at the Stockton public schools, and 
later he studied law at Santa Cruz, and was 
admitted to practice in 1881. 

As soon as he was admitted to the bar he 
located in Santa Cruz, and from there came 
to Salinas in 1886. Two years later he was 
elected to the office of Justice of tlie Peace, 
and in 1890 succeeded himself. He is a 
popular Democrat in politics, and in his 
election ran far ahead of his ticket. 

Mr. Jenkins married in 1889, Miss Carrie 
O. Pursell, a native of Tulare county, and 
was born in 1871, and to these parents two 
daughters have been born, Stella and Ella. 
Mr. Jenkins enjoys a large jiractice, and has 
gained the respect and esteem of all who know 
him. 

fEORGE W. LOVIE.— The life of this 
gentleman illustrates, in a marked degree, 
that high type of American character 
that this country has developed. 



Mr. Lovie was born in Maumee City, Ohio, 
March 4, 1848, and with his heroic mother 
came to California in 1850, to join his father, 
who had grossed the plains in 1849. His boy- 
hood was spent in the mining districts of 
Placer, El Dorado and Nevada counties, 
where tlie self-reliance and hopefulness so 
characteristic of tlie time were strongly en- 
grafted in his disposition. 

In 1868 he married an accomplished 
woman, Maria F., daughter of Mr. O. S. 
Holbrook, a prominent mining man of Ne- 
vada county, and the union has proved an 
exceptionally happy one. His parents died 
soon after his marriage, and he then assumed 
the responsibility of educating and support- 
ing his brother and sisters (five in number). 
He engaged in the draying business in San 
Francisco, but, not taking kindly to city life, 
he in 1871 removed to San Mateo county 
and engaged in farming. His ability as an 
enterprising citizen was at once recognized, 
and he soon became prominent in county af- 
fairs. In 1884 he was elected Tax Collector 
of the county and moved to Redwood City, 
the county-seat. Having served with great 
success in that office, he was elected in 1886 
County Assessor, re-elected in 1890, a:;d is 
at present discharging the duties of that of- 
fice with signal ability. 

While the subject of this sketch excels as a 
public officer, he is eminent in his private 
capacity in what is known as a "society man." 
He was Chief Engineer of the Redwood City 
fire department; P. G. of Ocean View Lodge, 
No. 143, I. O. O. F.; P. C. P. Hope Encamp- 
ment, No. 60; F. S. Rebekah Degree Lodge, 
No. 48; and Grand Sentinel of the Grand En- 
campment, I. O. O. F. ; Chairman of the 
Committee on Credentials and Returns, Grand 
Lodge Knights of Pythias; and holds im- 
portant official position in the Great Council 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



of Improved Order of Red Men. He has 
served on several important committees in 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and 
during the past year be veas the Noble Grand 
Arch of the United Ancient Order of Druids, 
visiting every grove of that order in the 
State and organizing two new groves. At 
the close of his term, in recognition of his 
valuable services in behalf of the order, he 
was presented by the Grand Grove with a 
handsome gold watch. He was Captain of 
the successful team in the K. of P. competi- 
tion in rendering the work, which took place 
during the recent session of the Grand lodge 
in this city. 

Mr. Lovie is now in the prime of life, and 
is a man of pleasing address. The keystone 
of his character is strict integrity, personal 
honesty and geniality. He is a representa- 
tive specimen of that class to whom the 
people must look forward to give credit and 
tone to American politics. He is a man of 
much magnetic influence, and is well calcu- 
lated to be a leader. 



1^^ TAIX is well known in San Benito 
^Pi county as one of the enterprising and 
^^^ successful men of San Juan. He has 
recently purchased one of the most beautiful 
spots of land in that locality, which will be 
his future home. 

Mr. Taix was born in the Alps of France, 
July 30, 1853. When scarcely seventeen 
years of age he volunteered his services in 
the ambulances during the Franco-Prussian 
war; hence, during the ministry in the latter 
part of 1871, longing to see the world, he 
embarked for San Fj-ancisco, went to work 
and pushed himself rapidly forward on the 
road of success. Two years later he moved 



within the boundary of San Benito county. 
He then turned his attention to tlie sheep 
industry, when the county was then open and 
ranges plentiful, with good results. 

In 1882 he next engaged in merchandising 
and operating a meat market in the old town 
of San Juan, where he is still doing a lucrative 
business, with the best intention to live and 
reside among his many friends. 

Mr. Taix has four bright children to suc- 
ceed him in life: Antoine, Vickie, Lena and 
Rosie Taix. 



I^KANCIS BLACKIE, of Castroville, is 
IK one of Monterey county's most energetic 
*^' farmers and business men. He came 
to California in 1862, almost directly from 
his native county, via New York city. He 
is a native of Roxburghshire, Scotland, born 
October 4. 1840, where he was reared to the 
occupation of a merchant. In time, as many 
other young men of his native land have done, 
he came to America, choosing California as 
his objective point, and sailed for that State, 
via the Isthmus of Panama, and in the fall 
of 1863 reached Salinas valley and engaged 
in farming on the Cooper estate. 

In 1887 he purchased the warehouse busi- 
ness of Mr. Charles Louis, which he had been 
operating since 1881, when he had leased it. 
This warehouse is located near Castroville, on 
the Monterey line of the Southern Pacific 
railroad, and is the shipping point of the 
product of a tine portion of the Salinas valley, 
and Mr. Blackie handles an unusually large 
quantity of potatoes, beans, barley, etc., 
yearly. In this he is very successful and 
has gained the respect and esteem of all who 
know him by his honesty and fair dealing. 

Mr. Blackie was married in 1874, to Miss 
Jane Mullis, daughter of John MuUis, of 



AUD SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



Salinas. Mr. and Mrs. Blackie have four 
children, namely: Francis, Walter J., Sarah 
M. and William G. Mr. Blackie is esteemed 
as a citizen and a prompt and successful busi- 
ness man. 



-^^uxpjiy- 



-^yiyirx^^ 



fW. PATTON, Esq., a wealthy stock- 
raiser and farmer of Salinas, Califoi'nia, 
® has been a resident of this State since 
1860. 

A native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, 
he was born November 1, 1833. When a 
young man he directed his way westward, 
first to Salt Lake, and thence to California 
via San Bernardino county or the Southern 
route. After prospecting along the coast he 
finally located at Natividad, Monterey county. 
He commenced farming on a comparatively 
modest scale, and from time to time has add- 
ed to his acreage until he now owns about 
2,500 acres of the best soil of the Salinas 
valley. 

He was married in 1859, to Miss Cornelia 
Stewart, a native of Pennsylvania, and they 
have one son and four daughters, namely: 
Alice, William, Emma, Mary and Annie. 
Mr. and Mrs. Patton are both of German 
descent. They and their family are highly 
esteemed b}' all who know them. 



T-*rTILLIAM SCHMIDT, deceased.— 
h:\l:\l'jj William Schmidt was one of the first 

i*=%l^l settlers of the Salinas Valley, and a 
pioneer of California. He was born in Olden- 
bnrg, Germany, in 1815, and came to America 
in 1845. He is an industrious and frugal 
farmer, and located on a claim in the Salinas 
valley of 160 acres. 

He was married in 1865, to Miss Francis 



Fabry, daughter of John Fabry, Esq., an 
early settler of Salinas valley. Mr. Schmidt 
died leaving a comfortable estate, a widow 
and the following children: William F., An- 
nie J., Francis M., August H., Emma L. and 
Fannie A. 

Mrs. Berg is a lady of great business energy 
and executive ability, and has a personal pride 
in her family'. She, in a lai-ge degree man- 
ages the family estate, and is respected by a 
large circle of friends. 



PANIEL TUTTLE, one of the success- 
ful business men of Watsonville, and a 
pioneer, was born in Kichland county, 
Ohio, in 1823. He is a son of Hiram and 
Annie (Dille) Tuttle, who were among the 
earliest settlers of Ohio. In that State his 
father built a house which had not a single 
nail in it, even the doors being pinned to- 
gether. They had six sons and two daugh- 
ters. The father died in 1848 and the mother 
in 1890. 

Mr. Tuttle received a fair common-school 
education, and was reared on a farm. At 
the age of twenty years he began to do for 
himself. He had only three dollars in money, 
and after paying half of it for his license, he 
began married life with the small sum of 
Si. 50. Near Ottumwa, Iowa, he engaged in 
farming and got a good start. Then, in 1852, 
he came to California, across the plains. 
Their party was composed of about eighteen 
persons, and they had seven wagons. After 
a journey of five months, they landed safe 
in Shasta City, in August. Six months later 
they went to Colusa county, and there Mr. 
Tuttle at first farmed, by the month. Then 
he bought land and raised barley for the Gov- 
ernment. In 1854 he came to Santa Cruz 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



county. His first purchase of land was 200 
acres, which, after he had it all fenced, etc., 
he lost through an old Spanish title. Not 
discouraged, however, in 1860 he bought 
ninety acres near Watson ville, which he has 
since improved, and to it added eighty acres. 
He has also owned some desirable stock 
ranches and has raised some fine stock. He 
is ranked with the successful men of the 
county, notwithstanding the fact that he was 
broken up in the start through a defective 
title. He laughs over it now, and says he is 
able to buy out all who claimed a better title 
than he could prove. 

Mr. Tuttle was married in Iowa, in 1844, 
to Miss Mary A. Pardoe, a daughter of Rev. 
John and Susan (Lotspeich) Pardoe. Their 
children are as follows: Dr. Hiram P., of 
Tacoma, Washington ; Susan, wife of Sheldon 
Allen; Owen S., a stock-raiser of Santa Cruz 
county; Mary, wife of Sidney Menasco; and 
Frank G. and Schuyler, butchers, Watson- 
ville. 

In politics Mr. Tuttle is a Republican. 
He was chosen by a large majority to repre- 
sent his county in the Legislature in 1878, to 
form the new constitution. He has taken a 
lively interest in educational matters, and has 
not only given his children good education, 
but has given them all a comfortable start in 
life. 



fEASIDE. — This town was laid out in 
the fall of 1888, and the land upon 
which it is located comprised a portion 
of tlie Noche Buena rancho. The town was 
originally platted as East Monterey, but 
upon the location of the post otHce it was 
found necessary to change the name, as it 
conflicted with other offices of a similar 
name; so January, 1890, it was given the 



appropriate name of Seaside. It contains 
1,800 fine residence lots, about 1,200 of which 
are sold, the remaining 600 still on the mar- 
ket. About 100 families from the various 
interior towns make this charming place 
their summer home, while others are so de- 
liglited with the attractions of the place, that 
they reside here all the time. It has many 
advantages as a place of residence, located as 
it is on the broad sand beach of Monterey 
bay, affording excellent bathing facilities. 
The climate is free from the harsh winds of 
the ocean, and when it has been proven that 
the most delicate plants can be propagated, 
and roses made to bloom, out of doors all the 
year round, as it has, there is no further need 
of expatiating upon the perfect climate of 
this gem of resorts. It has a post office, 
which is located one mile from Del Monte, 
on the Southern Pacific railroad. It has 
very excellent school facilities, and all the 
advantages to be obtained upon the shores 
of old Monterey bay. Among the natural 
attractions of Seaside are the beautiful lake 
and wonderful live-oak tree, said to be the 
largest of its species in the world. 

D. J. Houghton and his partner, J. L. D. 
Roberts, M. D., operate a lumber-yard at the 
railroad station, and encourage the erection 
of homes at Seaside. 

J. L. D. Roberts, the present eflicient and 
obliging Postmaster of Seaside, is a native of 
Osceola, Lewis county, New York, having 
been born in that place January 14, 1863. 
He took a thorough course in the English 
branches at Watertown, New York, and later 
an academic course at Utica, New York, and 
after that attended Union College, and there 
entered upon the study of medicine with Dr. 
H. N. Porter, of Utica. He graduated at 
the University of New York in 1885, and 
commenced the practice of medicine at Utica, 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



281 



where he remained for tliree years, and then 
came to California and settled at Monterey, 
in 1887. 

In 1888 Ur. Koberts married Miss Edith 
A. Maltby, of Troy, New York. To the Doc- 
tor and his wife one son has been born, — 
Houghton Maltby Roberts. 



H. itLOSSER, a prominent and 
highly respected citizen of San Ben- 
ito, San Benito county, California, 
was born in Fayette, Seneca county, New 
York, April 24, 1827. In his youth he 
learned the trade of tanner and currier at 
Lockport, New York, and in 1848 went to 
Michigan, where he worked at the same in 
Medina, Lenawee county. 

While working quietly at his trade in 
Michigan, the California gold fever swept 
over the country and Mr. Blosser was one of 
its victims. He drove a team overland from 
Michigan to the American valley in Plumas 
county, this State, arriving at his destination 
August 14, 1852. From that time until 
1861, he pursued the various callings of a 
persistent miner, and with no very brilliant 
success. In 1861 hejoined the United States 
Army and fought the Indians on the frontier, 
in New Mexico and Arizona, until 1864. In 
November of that year he returned to Plumas 
county, via steamer from Wilmington to San 
Francisco and np the Sacramento river, and 
remained in Plumas county until October, 
1868. The following year he came to San 
Benito county with Bolivar Smith, and 
bought a squatter's claim to land that now 
comprises a portion of his coirjfortable home 
at San Benito. 

Mr. Blosser was married, December 10, 
1873, to Mrs. Rachel (Pullen) Appleton, a 



native of Livingston county, Michigan, and 
the widow of D. E. Appleton. By her first 
husband she had three children: Maggie, 
May and De Witt. She and Mr. Blosser 
have one daughter, Etta O. 



AJOR E. McMICIIAELS is one of 
the respected pioneers of San Benito 
county. He came to California in 
1849. Passing on his journey to the mines, 
he camped in the fruit orchard adjoining, 
and comprising a portion of the San Juan 
Mission property at old San Juan. He ar- 
rived safely at the mines of Tuolumne county, 
and remained there until 1853, spending first, 
however, a brief time in Mariposa county. 
Later he followed stock-raising in Stanis- 
laus county, whence he removed to the San 
Joaquin valley. He finally, in 1859, took 
up his residence in San Benito county, and 
continued stock-raising. And since that date 
he has been an honored citizen of San Juan. 
Major McMichaels was born in the town of 
Orangeburg, Orangeburg county. South Caro- 
lina, June 1, 1809. In 1858 he married, in 
California, his present consort, who was, by 
maiden name, Emma Stone. They have three 
children. The Major lives in comparative 
retirement at San Juan, and since 1887 bas 
ably filled the position of United States Post- 
master. He is a gentleman possessing many 
estimable qualities, and is highly regarded by 
all who know him. 



fAVID LEESE, son of Jacob P. Leese, 
was born in Sonoma county, California, 
January 8, 1846. He came to Mon- 
terey county when a child, and attended the 
public schools of Monterey. Then for a 



282 



MONTEBET, SAN BENITO, SANTA GBUZ, 



number of years he followed various pursuits. 

He was married in Salina*, in 1875, to 
Delia Estelle, daughter of W. G. Martin, and 
their union has been blessed with two sons 
and six daughters, all living, namely: Her- 
bert Primer, born in 1876: Adelaide Sophia, 
in 1878; Grace Estelle, in 1880; David Will- 
iam, in 1882; Edith Anna, in 1884; Delia, 
ia 1888; Jessie Frances, in 1890; and Ber- 
tha Pomposa, in 1892. 

Mr. Lease came to King City in the year 
1885. He is now engaged in farming on 
the San Bernabe ranch. On the 15th of 
September, 1888, a serious accident, and a 
phenomenal one for California, occurred to 
him. Tlie house in which he was living, lo- 
cated live miles from King City, was struck 
by lightning and its contents burned. Many 
horses and cattle were also killed from the 
effects of the lightning. 

Mr. Leese has l)een and is still a very suc- 
cessful farmer, and in his chosen pursuit has 
acquired a competency. He bears a reputa- 
tion above reproach. Mr. Leese conies from 
an ancestry of which any one might well be 
proud, his mother being a sister of the dis- 
tinguished General Vallejo. For further 
reference to his ancestry see the various allu- 
sions to Jacob P. Leese in the general history 
in this work and a sketch of him. 



fOSEPH BOWIE, for many years a resi- 
dent of San Juan, San Benito county, and 
one of the most successful merchants of 
the place, is a native of Montreal, Canada, 
born September 6, 1830. His parents, Alex- 
ander and Elizabeth (Arthur) Bowie, were 
natives of Scotland and of the north of Ire- 
land, respectively, the latter being a daughter 
of William Arthur. Alexander Bowie was a 



baker by trade. He came to California in 
1852, worked at his trade in Murphy's camp, 
and in 1857 came to San Juan. Joseph was 
twenty-three years of age when he landed in 
California. He mined in the diggings of 
Calaveras county about three years. In 1857 
he came to San Juan aud found employment 
on a stock ranch. He subsequently served 
six years as Deputy Sheriff of Santa Clara 
county, under Sheriff" Adams, and during that 
time was stationed at the New Almaden 
quicksilver mines. He afterward served as 
Deputy Sheriff of old Monterey county, un- 
der Andy Wasson. Since 1877 he has been 
engaged in the merchandise business at San 
Juan. 

Of Mr. Bowie's family we record that he 
has one single sister, Eliza; Alexander, his 
brother, is in Europe; Agnes is the wife of 
J. 1*. Sargent, a prominent and wealthy 
rancher of Santa Clara county; Charlotte H. 
is the wife ofS. W. Smith, of Monterey. 

f5[DWAKD L. B. SMITH, deceased, one 
L of the honored and esteemed pioneers 
^ of California, paid the debt of Nature 
in 1853, leaving to his descendants an in- 
heritance beyond price, that of an untar- 
nished name. 

Our subject came overland from Spring- 
field, Illinois, to California, in 1848, leaving 
Springfield in April of that year. The journey 
was a perilous one and Mr. Smith was so un- 
fortunate as to receive an accidental wound in 
the arm from one of the guards while placing 
them around, that proved very serioiis. This 
wound was received while guarding the 
camp at night, when he was serving as Cap- 
tain of the guard. Mr. Smith made his ad- 
vent into San Francisco on the 22d of Octo- 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



383 



ber, the same year. He was a merchant by 
trade and pursued his calling until Novem- 
ber of the year 1849, when he removed to 
Santa Cruz, where he remained until January, 
1850, when he located at San Juan. As he 
was a man of broad intelligence and well 
versed in English and American law he be- 
gan the practice of the same in San Juan. 
Mr. Smith was the first Postmaster of San 
Juan, and at the time of his death, in 1853, 
waa Surveyor of Monterey county. 

Mr. Smith married Miss Jane Whittacer, 
a native of Kingston, New York, where the 
marriage ceremony occurred. Mrs. Smith 
was of Holland Dutch descent. Mr. Smith 
was also a native of New York, his birth- 
place being Ulster county, that State. The 
six children of Mr. and Mrs. Smith were all 
born in Kingston and were by name as fol- 
lows: Annie, wife of Judge R. F. Feckhara 
of San Jose, is now deceased; Caroline is the 
widow of John N. JBigley and resides at San 
Juan ; Leath M. is the wife of John Breen, of 
San Juan;. Mary S. is the wife of George Chal- 
mers of San Juan; Josephine married W. 
Jeffries of Santa Clara county and is now de- 
ceased; and John, the only son, who is now 
a resident of Stockton. Mr. Smith was an 
honorable man, an energetic and esteemed 
citizen who is still remembered by the host 
of friends he left behind. 

fA. BLESSING, a California pioneer of 
1850, and a prosperous farmer of San 
'^ Benito county, residing near HoUister, 
is deserving of some personal mention in this 
work. 

Mr. Blessing is a native of Virginia, born 
on the Bed river, son of Abraham and Mary 
(Anderson) Blessing. By the death of his 



parents he was left an orphan at the age of 
two years and was cared for and reared by 
strangers. When a youth he went to Mis- 
souri and at the age of twenty crossed the 
plains from that State to California, coming 
via the northern route, and after a journey of 
seventy-five days landed in " Hangtown " on 
the 1st of July, 1850. He spent twenty-five 
years in the mines of Placer, El Dorado and 
adjoining counties, and in 1875 came to San 
Benito county and located near Hollister. 
Here he owns a fertile farm of eighty acres. 
Mr. Blessing was married at San Francisco, 
in 1863, to Mrs. Ruth Roe, a native of Lena- 
wee county, Michigan. They have five chil- 
dren: William A., Estella M., Mary. Alice, 
John Franklin and Oliver C. The two 
daughters and one son are married. 



?OHN SEXTON, a native of Arkansas, 
was born December 28, 1837. His fa- 
ther, Jacob Sexton, a farmer, came to 
California in 1850 and died the same year, in 
Sacramento county. His wife, nee Eliza Reed, 
a native of Kentucky, died in the spring of 
1886, leaving four children, of whom our 
subject is the second. 

Mr. John Sexton served during the rebel- 
lion three years as United States Government 
Wagon-master in the Commissary depart 
ment. After the war, in 1865, he came to 
California and remained two years at Napa, 
where he engaged in farm work. Li 1867 
he located in Salinas, where he bought seventy 
acres of land, his present home. The Sexton 
residence is one of the most attractive rural 
homes in the valley and is a source of pride 
to the citizens of the surrounding county. 

Mr. Sexton was married July 17, 1865, to 
Sarah C. King, the daughter of Philip King, 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA ORVZ, 



a farmer of the Salinas valley. Mrs. Sexton 
was born in Indiana, March 21, 1846. Five 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Sexton, namely: Ida B., now Mrs. James 
Kenney of San Jose; O. C, now Mrs. Wright 
Alsop of Salinas; A. D., now Mrs. J. H. Al- 
sop of Salinas; Eda May and John T., at 
home. 

Mr. Sexton enjoys the respect and esteem 
of all who know him, and he and iiis wife are 
worthy representatives of the Salinas valley. 



fOHN W. HAWKINS, a representative 
business man of Hollister, is a native of 
Marion county, Missouri, having been 
born near the city of Hannibal, September 
22, 1840. His life has been chiefly devoted 
to agricultural pursuits, in which he has 
been very successful. 

His father, Nicholas Hawkins, was also a 
life-long farmer and a native of Kentucky, 
where he was greatly esteemed. Our subject 
was reared in his native State, and in 1868 
came to Hollister and was one of the original 
settlers on the subdivision of the San Justo 
or Hollister grant. He now owns one of the 
finest farms of 200 acres in the county, which 
joins the city of Hollister, also 700 acres 
of productive farm land near Winters, Cali- 
fornia. 

Mr. Hawkins married Miss Frances J. 
Chapped, a native of McDonald county, Mis- 
souri, born near Neosho, October 7, 1845, and 
a daughter of Alfred Chapped, a resident of 
Hollister. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins have four 
living children, namely: William E., born 
July 30, 18G7; Alfred N., bote April 11, 
1869, married Emma Elizabeth Sherman, 
and is now a farmer of Woodland, California; 
Mary A., born December 28, 1870; Lee, born 



January 15, 1878; and Frank C, born May 22, 
1878, died March, 4, 1892. Mr. Hawkins 
has been active in all enterprises that had for 
their object the material, educational or social 
advancement of the city of Hollister and 
county of San Benito. No family in the State 
is held in any higher esteem by those who 
know them than is that of the subject of this 



notice. 



~'w/^'^^^-^^/^^ 



fAPT. E. P. WRIGHT is one of the 
oldest pioneers of San Benito county. 
He came to California, in 1849, from 
Wilcox county, Ala., but is a native of South 
Carolina, being born in Sumter district, 
September 3, 1816. Soon after his birth his 
father removed to Alabama, and there died 
live months after. 

The captain was reared in Conecuh county, 
Alabama, until eighteen years of age,when he 
engaged in raising cotton and corn until 
1835, when he went to Texas, joined the 
revolution and aided in gaining the inde- 
pendence of the Lone Star State. He served 
there as a private during 1836, and then 
located in Concordia parish, Louisiana, near 
Natchez, Mississippi, as a farmer. In 1844 
he returned to Alabama, but in 1849 came to 
California, being one of a party who chartered 
a schooner and sailed for Brazos-Santiago, 
Texas; crossed the Rio Grande river, and 
with teams, wagons and pack mules made 
their way to Mazatlan, Mexico. From this 
point they sailed to San Francisco, taking 
thirty-one days to the trip. Upon arrival in 
California, Captain Wright spent about three 
years in the mines and then returned to 
Alabama. In 1852 he again made the trip, 
and embarked in farming at Gilroy. While 
living there he was several times elected 
Justice of the Peace, which ofhce he filled 



AND SAA MATEO COUNTIES. 



285 



with credit. Later, lie came to San Benito 
county and located his present home at the 
confluence of the Tres Finos and San Benito 
creeks, in the most fertile and cultivated 
portion of central California. 

He was married in Alabama in 1844, to 
Miss Margaret L. Hank, a native of Ala- 
bama, who is still living. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wright have eight children, seven of whom 
are daughters, and of these seven six have 
occupied responsible positions as teachers in 
the public schools. Mrs. Wright is a lady 
of intelligence, and is a devoted wife and 
mother. 

Although born and reared in the heart of 
secession, Capt. Wright has always been a 
strong Union man and a Gerrit Smith 
abolitionist. He served in his early days in 
the Alabama militia, with rank as Captain, 
which title has clung to him, and he is known 
and liked as Captain Wright by a large 
circle of acquaintances and friends. He is a 
raau of wide observation, general information 
and pronounced opinions, and is liberal to a 
fault. 



tWESTFALL, M. D., has been one 
of the physicians of Monterey since 
» 1878, and of California since 1869. 
He is a native of Indiana, born July 30, 
1841, son of Isaac Fall Westfall. The Doctor 
received his medical education at Keokuk, 
Iowa, where he graduated in 1869 from the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons. 

Upon coming to California, he practiced 
his profession at various points in California 
and finally located at Monterey, in January, 
1878. 

In 1861, Dr. Nestfall joined the Union 
army in Iowa, and was mustered into the 
Fourth Iowa Infantry. He served one year, 



taking an active part in the battles of Shiloh 
and Donelson, where he received injuries, 
and was commissioned First Lieutenant as a 
reward for his bravery, but was discharged 
on account of his wounds, 

Ilis marriage occurred in 1875, to Miss 
Nellie Fadden, a native of Minnesota, and 
they have one son, Jacob. 

The Doctor is a Republican in politics, and 
has held the office of City Recorder for two 
years. He enjoys a fine practice, and has 
the confidence and esteem of all who know 
him. 

l^EV. N. R. PECK, one of the honorable 
1^^ members of the superannuated Methodist 
^^i clergy, is a well-known citizen of Pacific 
Grove. He is a native of Chittenden county, 
Vermont, born March 23, 1813. His father, 
a Baptist preacher, was born in Rhode Isl 
and, although he followed his calling chiefly 
in Vermont and St. Lawrence county, New 
York, in which latter place his death occurred 
in 1860, when he had attained the age of 
eighty-five years. His wife, mother of subject, 
Sahara Rounds, was born in Rutland county, 
Vermont, town of Clarendon, of English de- 
scent. 

Our subject was the second child in a large 
family, was educated in the public schools of 
Vermont, and also attended the St. Lawrence 
Academy at Malone, New York. In 1838 he 
joined the Black River Conference, having 
been engaged in the local ministry of the 
Northern New York Conference for some 
time prior to this step. In 1855 Mr. Peck 
became a member of the California Confer- 
ence by transfer from the Black River Con. 
ference in northern New York, being sta- 
tioned at Los Angeles in the same year. He 
remained only about six months when he was 



28G 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



stationed at Sacramento, where he built np a 
fine church organization and erected the pres- 
ent Methodist Church on H street. He tilled 
various appointments in Sacramento, Placer, 
El Dorado, and Amador counties, and served 
as Presiding Elder in the California Confer- 
ence in 1861. This good man continued his 
ministrations until 1889, when he superannu- 
ated, alter a service of tifty-four years. He 
resided for several years in Placer county, 
where he was a pioneer in the growing of 
olives and oranges in that county, propagating 
them from the seed. In this way Mr. Peck 
became interested inhoricultnre, and for some 
time was an influential member of the State 
Board of Horticulture. 

In 1889 Mr. Peck took up his residence in 
Pacific Grove, where (in 1892) he still lives, 
and is universally beloved. Mr. Peck first 
visited California in 1850, and as an indepen- 
dent preacher traveled and preached the gos- 
pel of the Bible to the miners, sometimes hav- 
ing audiences as large as 1,500 people, chiefly 
miners, at the old Spanish bar on the Ameri- 
can river. When asked how he could afford 
to preach so long without remuneration he 
said, "Why, bless you, I never had up to that 
time seen so much money, and scarcely have I 
since. While sitting alone in my cabin door 
those open-handed and generous miners used 
to throw sacks of gold dust through my open 
window or door, not even halting to receive 
my thanks." 

Mr. Peck married, in 1833, Mary Rounds, 
a daughter of Joseph Rounds of Monkton, 
Vermont. Two children were born to them, 
namely: Marilla, who married and was sent 
to India in 1856 as a missionary, where she 
died in 1863, leaving a daughter who was re- 
turned to her native land and is now the wife 
of Rev. J. W. Kuykendall, of the California 
Conference. The other daughter of Mr. Peck 



was married to J. N. Maddux, of California, 
and is now living in San Francisco. 

Mr. Peck is greatly esteemed in Pacific 
Grrove, and is now enjoying a well-earned 
rest after a life of toil and arduous labors. 



fj. HANEY, the subject of this brief 
sketch, is a native of Ireland, where 
* he was born in 1814. In 1840 he 
shipped for America, and after arrival in this 
land of freedom and plenty, he located in 
Wisconsin, where he resided for about 
twenty-two years. ^rior to his settlement 
in Wisconsin he had traveled extensively in 
the United States, and so finally resolved to 
seek in the mild climate of California 
the comfort during winter that Wiscon- 
sin does not afford; so in 1875 he 
made the trip, and, since his arrival in 
the State, has been the keeper of t!ie court- 
bouse grounds of Monterey county. This 
work he is well able to perform, as he was 
reared on a farm and has always engaged in 
agricultural pursuits. 

In 1849 our subject was married to Miss 
Henrietta Luce, who bore him one son, 
Edward. Mr. Haney has always been very 
industrious, and his energy and thrift have 
won for him a competency. He now has a 
comfortable home in Salinas, where his 
sociability and strict integrity have made him 
many friends. 



fRANK R. DAY is a representative busi- 
ness man and capitalist of Monterey. He 
has been a resident of California for 
about twenty-five years. His father, Lott Day, 
coming to California with his family in 1866, 
purchased the Capital Hotel at Sacramento, 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



and operated the same until 1871. After a 
trip East he settled in Oakland, where he 
lived in retirement until his death in 1883. 
He was a native of Ohio, born at the present 
site of Cincinnati about 1822. He became 
one of the most successful hotel men of his 
day, and owned some of the leading hotels in 
Ohio and adjoining States. The mother of 
our subject was Anna, daughter of John K. 
Wright, M. D., an eminent physician with a 
practice extending throughout Indiana. She 
was bom in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and 
died at the age of thirty-three years, in South 
Bend, Indiana, leaving three children, a son 
and two daughters. The younger daughter 
died at the age of five years, and the older 
Lizzie, married W. S. Bender, a nephew of 
E. B. Crocker, agent for the Central Pacific 
Railroad Company. They lived at Reno, 
Nevada, where she died in 1871. 

Mr. Day was born in South Bend, Indiana, 
April 9, 1853. He learned civil engineering 
after coming to California, and as civil engi- 
neer worked for the Pacific Improvement 
Company for a time. Later, he worked for 
the Southern Pacific and other railway com- 
panies in various capacities, and was also in 
the employ of Wells, Fargo & Company, these 
engagements covering a period of about 
twenty years. In 1883 he located in Los 
Angeles. He organized and was for a time 
connected with the well-known business firm 
of Joe Bayer & Co., of that city. In 1886 he 
disposed of his business interests and became 
one of the volunteer firemen of Los Angeles, 
which position he filled four years, the last 
two years being Chief of the paid department. 
He served as a member of the City Council 
of Los Angeles two years, from the second 
ward, one of the wealthiest wards in the city. 
He was popularly known for his political 
sagacity and business enterprise. He was an 



organizer and director of the first telephone 
company in that city. He is is an organizer 
of, a heavy stockholder in, and manager of 
the Monterey Electric Light & Development 
Company. 

Mr. Day has been twice married, his first 
wife being Elizabeth Mappa, a member of one 
of the oldest families of Los Angeles. His 
present companion, fomerly Miss Jessie 
Oliver, is a native of Monterey, a daughter 
of the late George Oliver, and a lady of rare 
social culture. By his former marriage he 
has one daughter, Anna C, now (1892) eight 
years of age. 

No citizen in Monterey is more active or 
takes more pride in the business development 
of the city than Frank R. Day. He is a mem- 
ber of the Town Council. In social as well 
as business circles he is held in high esteem. 

SODELPHUS C. AUSTIN, of Monterey 
county, California, was born in Oxford 
county, Maine, February 25, 1854, son 
of Amos and Florence S. (Taylor) Austin. 
His father was a native of that same State 
and county, and was by occupation a dairy- 
man. He made the trip to this State in 
1856, coming direct from Maine, via Pan- 
ama. Two years later his wife and son 
Rodelphus (youngest child) came by the 
same route, leaving the two daughters with 
their uncle, G. I). Austin, until about the 
year 1863. One year the father was engaged 
in mining in Butte county. Daniel for three 
years was in company with ex- Sheriff P. K. 
Austin, a brother on Point San Pedro, Marin 
county, this State. Then for five years he 
conducted a dairy in Sonoma county, and 
also dealt in live stock. The mother is still 
living. She dates her l)irth in 1823. Of 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



their six children, four are now living, the 
subject of this sketch, and his three sisters, 
all married and settled in life. Flora is now 
Mrs. William Ferguson, of Los Angeles; 
Ora B. is the wife of J. Q. Bradburj, a 
superintendent of mines in New Mexico; and 
Linnie E. is the wife of Dr. G. H. Heald, of 
San Francisco. The maternal grandfather 
of Mr. Austin was Stephen B. Taylor, a 
native of Maine, who lived to be ninety 
years of age, and died in Byron, that State, 
and his father, John Taylor, was a Eevolu- 
tionary soldier under Washington. Grand- 
father Abiah Austin was by trade a wheel- 
wright. 

Mr. Austin attended the State Normal 
School at San Jose and graduated at the 
McMeans Normal School of Santa Rosa, 
Sonoma county. He also took a scientific 
course of study in the Cliristian College, 
Santa Rosa. He followed school teaching 
for a time, being very successful, and urged 
by school trustees to continue. He pre- 
empted Government land, and in 1873 
owned 1,060 acres. Since that time, how- 
ever, he has sold off portions of his land, and 
at this writing has a fine ranch of 120 acres. 
He is one of Monterey's best-informed and 
most reliable citizens, and in politics he is 
an ardent Republican. 



fOSEFH O. JOHNSON, a pioneer of 
Pacific Grove, has figured quite con- 
spicuously in the development of Pa- 
cific Grove. 

Mr. Johnson was born May 10, 1844, in 
Rappahannock county, Virginia, and was the 
son of Farmer Johnson, deceased, a planter 
by occupation, who came to California in 
1869, and settled in Monterey county, where 



he remained until his death, which occurred 
in Salinas, in 1877. 

The subject is one of the most active busi- 
ness men of the county and has engaged 
largely in the mercantile business. Upon his 
first arrival in San Francisco, in 1869, he 
spent a year in prospecting throughout the 
State. In 1872 he located near Salinas, and 
sold merchandise during 1875, 1876, and 
1877. At the last-named date he closed out 
and spent a year in traveling in northern 
California, after which he settled in Pacific 
Grove. 

Upon his arrival at this popular seaside 
resort he purchased of the Pacific Improve- 
ment Company the only livery business of 
the town and erected, without question, the 
most complete and largest livery stable in 
the State, which cost him 110,000, and 
which has been considered by all the town 
as one of the most enterprising businesses 
of the place. These stables are liberally 
patronized, not only by the townspeople but 
by visitors. Mr. Johnson also platted the 
town for the Pacific Improvement Company, 
in Pacific Grove, acting as superintendent. 
He made many improvements, and during 
the time he served in that capacity he sold 
over 3,000 business and residence lots. It 
was under his able management that Pacific 
Grove acquired its fame as a desirable resi- 
dence town, and its largest sales were made 
under his directorship. 

Mr. Johnson has been twice married, the 
first time, August 2, 1862, to Miss Emma 
Gray, who died September 13, 1884, at 
Pacific Grove. January 19, 1886, Mr. John- 
son married Miss Carrie L., daughter of the 
lamented D. W. Lloyd, of Pacific Grove, and 
they have three daughters: Carrie J., Mabel 
J. alid Esther. Mr. Johnson owns a large 
amount of real estate in Pacific Grove and 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



289 




valuable farm property in Oregon. He is a 
man who is noted for his business energy 
and every project which has him at its head 
is sure to succeed. 



ARION CROW, Hollister, San Ben- 
llTOIK ito county, California, came to this 
ft^^ State from Crawford county, Mis- 
souri, in 1871. His father, Joseph Crow, 
mined in California as early as 1849, as will 
be seen by reference to the sketch of W. J. 
Crow elsewhere in this work. 

Marion Crow was born in Crawford county, 
Missouri, December 13, 1853. He was vari- 
ously employed until finally he took up farm- 
ing, and located where he now lives, in the 
vineyard district, about six miles southwest 
of Hollister. Here he lias 600 acres of farm- 
ing and grazing land, about 125 acres of 
which are under cultivation. 

Mr. Crow was married in 1875, to Miss 
Emma Whitton, of Napa, California. They 
have four children: Cassie A., Mary E., John 
F. and Josephine. 



fOHN SHIELDS, an esteemed pioneer of 
California, crossed the plains from Keo- 
kuk, Iowa, via Council Bluffs, and the 
northern route, in 1852, being six months in 
making the journey. Upon his arrival in the 
Golden State, he first located in Shasta county, 
where he lived two years, from there going 
to Trinity county. Here he devoted four- 
teen years of his life to mining, and was 
favored with average success. Since April, 
1870, he has been a resident of San Benito 
county. 

Mr. Shields was born in Ireland, in 1831, 



and at the age of seventeen came to America. 
His life has been one of industry and so- 
briety. In San Benito he has developed a 
fine estate, has a comfortable home, and has 
reared a family of seven children, all of whom 
are capable of taking independent and hon- 
orable positions in life. 

He was married in Santa Clara county, in 
1864, to Miss Julia Wallace, a lady of ster- 
ling qualities, and who proved herself a faith- 
ful wife and devoted mother. She died in 
1892. The names of their children are: 
Frank, Augustus, Agnes, Ida, John, George 
and Murty. Frank and his brother-in-law, 
J. R. Young, are engaged in the Garden City 
Brass Works, at San Jose. 

Mr. Shields was reared in the Catholic 
faith. hi politics, he is an out-and-out 
Brohibitionist. 



I^ICHMOND STICE, deceased, was born 
1^^ in Randolph county, Missouri, October 
^ 18, 1823. His father, Peter Stice, a 
Missourian by birth, emigrated to Oregon 
and there died, at the age of 104 years. 
Richmond Stice was reared on a farm in his 
native State, and in August 31, 1843, he mar- 
ried Elizabeth AUred, and had the following 
children: William T., deceased; Nancy M.; 
and Elizabeth, who died November 17, 1846. 
In 1856 Richmond Stice came to Califor- 
nia. Arriving on this coast, he engaged in 
mining in Amador county one year. He 
then farmed two years in Napa county, and 
ten years near Vacaville, Solano county. He 
came to San Benito county, in 1869, where 
he followed farming until 1876. Then he 
moved to Lompoc, Santa Barbara county; in 
1877, back to San Benito county, settling at 
Willow creek. In 1883 he located on Tres 



390 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



Pinos creek, near Paicines, where he spent 
the rest of his life, dying February 2, 1891. 

Mr. Stice was married, in Missouri, in 
1848, to Miss Martha J. Barnes, a native of 
Boone county, Missouri, born July 11, 1827. 
Their children are as follows: Lizzie, wife of 
Benjamin Duvaul; Jaraes B., deceased; 
Khoda A., wife of G. "W. Joice; Henry P., 
Lottie E., John M.. Tyra R., deceased; Sarah 
F., wife of M. C. Druden; Silas N., and Lee, 
deceased. 

Richmond Stice was active and enterprising 
in business affairs, and in his home was ever 
hospitable and social. He had hosts of friends 
and was highly respected by all who knew 
him. 

>X^ — :(^^^^ 

tENSSELAER L. HOHNAN, a native 
of Orange county, Vermont, was born 
May 26, 1843. His father, Luther 
Hohnan, was a farmer. Upon leaving his na- 
tive State, Mr. Hohnan, in 1865, came to Cali- 
fornia and spent two years in the wholesale 
fruit house of J. & D. Conrad. At the time 
of his leaving this house he returned to Ver- 
mont, and spent three years farming on the 
old home place of his father, then engaged in 
the mercantile business in Willistou, Ver- 
mont, for two years; then sold out his busi- 
ness there and engaged in farming for two 
years at Jericho, Vermont. In 1872, he 
made a second trip to California, this time as 
traveling agent for the Walter A. Wood Mow- 
ing and Reaping Machine Company, of Hoo- 
sick Falls, New York, remaining with them 
two years. Next he was employed by Messrs. 
Frank Bros, of San Francisco as traveling 
salesman for four years; then engaged in the 
hardware and agricultural implement business 
for himself, in company with Perrin Stanton 
at Sacramento, California, where he remained 



in business for five years; then sold his in- 
terest in the business to Stanton, Thomson & 
Co. of that city, and moved to Pacific Grove, 
investing his capital largely in Pacific Grove 
residence property. 

Mr. Hohnan married, in 1869, Miss Laura 
A. Whitcomb, of LTnderhill, Vermont, and 
they have two sons and one daughter. The 
family reside in a beautiful home on the 
Lighthouse road, and it is one of the most 
complete homes in its appointments and sur- 
roundings in Monterey county. Mr. Hohnan 
is esteemed for his sound business judgment 
and integrity. 



fAMES H. McDOUGALL.— The subject 
of this brief sketch is one of the most 
widely and favorably known business 
men in Monterey county. He has been a 
resident of California since 1854, and his rise 
and progress from step to step as a business 
man is briefly noted in the following lines: 

Mr. McDougall is a native of Glasgow, 
Scotland, and was born October 4, 1836. 
His father, James McDougall, is a pioneer of 
California, of 1853, a venerable resident of 
Salinas. 

Our subject, upon arrival in San Francisco, 
viaChicago, came directly to Monterey county 
and engaged in farming in the Parnell val- 
ley, until 1858. He then followed lumbering 
for a brief time, and also operated a thresh- 
ing crew in the Pajaro valley. In 1868 he 
commenced merchandising in Salinas city, in 
partnership with Deacon Howe, carrying a 
somewhat mixed assortment of goods, mostly 
stationery. For about thirteen years he 
served as Postmaster of Salinas, receiving 
his appointment from Postmaster-General 
Key, under President Hayes' administration. 
In 1884 he was elected Tax Collector of Mon- 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



291 



terey, and is still connected with the office, as 
a deputy. He retired from the mercantile 
husiness in 1889, having been engaged there- 
in for twenty years. During these busy 
years Mr. McDougall has been very prosper- 
ous and has accumulated a iine property, 
which consists of valuable productive real 
estate and business property, in and about 
Salinas. He has figured more or less in poli- 
tics, and has never lost a political contest. 
He has served several times on his local 
School Board, and is President of the same at 
the present time. In January, 1880, he was 
elected Treasurer of Alisal Lodge, No. 163 I. 
O. O. F., of Salinas, and has since been cus- 
todian of its finances. He is interested in 
banking, and is a director in one of the 
strongest banking institutions in the interior 
of the State. 

Mr. McDougall married Miss Elizabeth, 
the daughter of the late James Bard in, Esq., 
an esteemed pioneer and leading farmer of 
Salinas, a brief sketch of whose life can be 
found on another page in this work. Mr. 
and Mrs. McDougall have two bright children, 
Jay Edward and Charles. 



fEORGE BLAKIE, a well-known farmer 
of Salinas valley, has been a resident 
of California since 1860. He is a na- 
ive of Scotland, and was born at Kelso, 
October 6, 1834. He came to America 
in 1857, and located in Monterey county in 
1863, where he has successfully farmed about 
300 acres of the Cooper ranch, producing 
chiefly potatoes and grain, and he keeps about 
forty head of horses, his ranch being one of 
the largest in the vicinity. 

Mr. Blakie was married at the little town 
of Castroville, to a daughter of Thomas Will- 



iams. Mrs. Blakie is a native of the State of 
Connecticut. About a year ago, he removed 
with his family to their home place, "Cypress 
Corner," in San Miguel canon. 



t NORTON, one of the most proficient 
and able tutors of the youngin Mont- 
..,, ® erey county, is the sixbject of this brief 
sketch. 

Mr. Norton was born in Susquehanna 
county, Pennsylvania, in the town of Lanes- 
boro. His parents, P. L. and Sarah (Thayer) 
Norton, are both natives of New York State. 
His father served throughout the war in the 
Union army, was twice wounded, once taken 
prisoner, and was promoted to the rank of 
Major of volunteers for meritorious services 
on the field of battle. 

Our subject enjoyed the advantages of a 
liberal early education in his native town and 
in the town of Susquehanna, and entered 
upon a course of study at Cornell University, 
New York, in 1871. Owing to an almost 
total loss of eyesight his studies were aban- 
doned for a while. Upon a partial recovery 
he went to Philadelphia and embarked for 
California on the steamship "State of Cali- 
fornia," which sailed for San Francisco, via 
the Straits of Magellan. As he had devoted 
himself to his studies, he was able, after a 
few mouths passed in the steamship service 
of the San Francisco and southern coast 
route, to engage in teaching district school, 
in the northern end of Monterey county, near 
Watsonville, Santa Cruz county. Later his 
talents as an instructor were recognized to 
such an extent that he was offered the Prin- 
cipalship of the public-schools of Gonzales, 
in Monterey county, which position he 
acceptably tilled for seven years. The follow- 



2£3 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



ing two years he held the same position at 
San Miguel, San Luis Obispo county. In 
1892 he resigned his position, relinquished 
educational work and accepted the position of 
Monterey agent for the Pacific Coast Station 
Ship Company. Mr. Norton's thorough 
knowledge of school work and his conscien- 
tious devotion to his duties, have made him 
one of the most able and popular teachers in 
central California, and his pleasant, genial 
manner and business tact is making him very 
popular and successfnl in his new position of 
agent for the above company. 

Mr. Norton has acceptably served the pub- 
lic for three terms, or six years, as member 
of the County Board of Education, and was 
without solicitation made the Democratic 
nominee for County Superintendent of schools, 
but as his party was in the minority he fell 
short of an election. 

fAMES H. R O B I N S IS , a prominent 
farmer of Salinas and Deputy County 
Recorder of Monterey county, is a native 
of Texas, having been born in Dallas, De- 
cember 26, 1855. He is the son of Ephraim 
Robinson, a native of North Carolina, who 
came to California in 1860 and located on a 
farm near Salinas city. When our subject 
was five years old his parents came to Cali- 
fornia and located in Monterey county. 

James received his education in the public 
schools of this county and early in life em- 
braced stock-raising and farming as his occu- 
pation. He now is the proud owner of a fine 
ranch of 1,810 acres, near what is known as 
the Corral de Tierra, in this county. 

Mr. Robinson was married in this county, 
January 1, 1884, to Miss Annie Condon, of 
Salinas city, daughter of George W. Condon, 



a farmer of Salinas. Slie was born at Slug 
Gulch, Placer county, California, May 2, 
1856. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have had 
three children. 

Two years ago Mr. Robinson accepted the 
office of Deputy County Recorder, which 
position he has successfully filled to the pres- 
ent time. He was deputy recorder from 
1887 to 1889. On the ranch from January 
1 up to the fall of 1890, when he entered 
the campaign for the ofiice of County Re- 
corder, against a popular young native son of 
the Golden West, and was elected by a good 
majority, and holds the ofiice at the present 
time. He is a successful farmer and enjoys 
the respect and esteem of his fellow-towns- 
men. 

fF. PEARCE, who has a beautiful 
home of seventy acres, located in 
® San Juan canon, California, is one of 
the represenative citizens of San Benito 
county, and is deserving of some personal 
mention in this work. 

Mr. Pearce was born in Gloucester, 
Massachusetts, December 15, 1834. His 
parents, Edward H. and Mary (Brown) 
Pearce, were natives of Gloucester and 
Hamilton, Massachusetts, respectively. Ed- 
ward H. Pearce was a seafaring man, a cap- 
tain of various ocean vessels, and navigated 
nearly all the open seas of the world. He 
was born in 1800, spent the evening of his 
life on a farm in Massachusetts, and died in 
1875. 

In early life the subject of our sketch 
learned the trade of shoe-cutter and became 
an expert cutter. He worked in a factory in 
Nova Scotia for some time. It was in 1851 
that he made his first trip to California, com- 
ing via Cape Horn, as a sailor before the 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



mast. After spending four months in San 
Francisco he went back into the country and 
liunted wild orame for the San Francisco mar- 
ket. This business he pursued about four 
years. Then, after a trip through the min- 
ing districts, he in 1856 returned East. His 
second journey to California was made by 
way of Panama in 1861. 

Mr. Pearce was married in 1857, at Nova 
Scotia, to Miss Sarah Eaton, a native of Liv- 
erpool, Nova Scotia, born May 24, 1837, a 
daughter of Captain Thomas Eaton, her par- 
ents being both of English birth. Captain 
Eaton was a seafaring man and was com- 
mander of the ship Fairy. This vessel, 
which had her keel laid on Friday, was 
launched on Friday, and sailed to sea on Fri- 
day, was, indeed, a most fortunate craft, not- 
withstanding the supersti'.ion which gov- 
erned the movements of many sailors in those 
days. Mr. and Mrs. Pearce have two sons 
and five daughters, viz.: Kate, wife of C A. 
Dorsey, Sacramento; Lida, widow of Henry 
Hounds, San Francisco; Edward, a rancher, 
Mabel, a teacher in the public schools of San 
Juan; and Lillian, Arthur and Minnie. 

Mr. Pearce has served as Justice of the 
Peace of San Juan and as a School Trustee of 
his district for sixteen years. 

During the time Edward H. Pearce lived 
on his farm he was a member of the Massa- 
chusetts Legislature for over twenty years. 
Henry, the second son of E. H. Pearce, joined 
the Union army at the commencement of the 
war and continued until the close; was in 
forty-seven engagements and came out with- 
out a scratch although he was six feet and five 
inches in height and weighed 256 pounds. 
After the war he removd to St. Louis, Mis- 
souri, where he died, in July, 1889. of Bright's 
disease. David, the youngest of the boys, 
also enlisted in the Union army early in the 



war, served in the Army of the Potomac 
about two years and six months, and, after his 
return, died of the same disease. 

jgEORGE FENWICK BODFISH, of 
wf -'^'^'^^^^ Grove, is a native of California, 
w'- born in San Jose, February 1, 1859. 
His father, George H. Bodfish, deceased, 
was a native of Barnstable county. Massa- 
chusetts, and an active and influential pioneer 
of California. Grandfather Eben Bodfish 
was a native of the same county, and was by 
occupation a farmer. Grandmother Bodfish 
was, before her marriage, a Miss Fish, and, 
like her husband, was of old Puritan stock. 
George H. was the fourth of nine children 
born to Eben Bodfish and his wife. He was 
reared on a farm. He, however, inclined to 
mechanics and to milling. Locating at New 
Bedford, Massachusetts, he engaged exten- 
sively in lumbering, shipping cargoes by an 
ocean vessel around Cape Horn to San Fran- 
cisco in 1849. In the latter part of that 
year he came to California, via Panama, re- 
maining two years. He disposed of his stock 
of lumber and engaged in farming in Sauta 
Clara valley, near San Jose, and also opened 
one of the first mercantile houses in that 
city. Both these enterprises proved success- 
ful, and he continued the same until 1855, 
when he embarked in the milling business 
in the Coast Range mountains, about six 
miles west of Gilroy. He manufactured 
large quantities of Redwood lumber, operat- 
ing lumber yards and planing mills in both 
Gilroy and San Jose. In 1855 he took into 
the Santa Clara valley the first steam tliresh- 
ing machine of that region of country. In 
1863 he mined gold in the quartz mines of 
Kern county, California. He died at Sage 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



Land, a mining town of that county, in 1869. 
He was married in 1853, to Mrs. Allen Luce, 
a widow of New Bedford, Massachusetts, re- 
turning to California the same year with his 
bride and her only son, Allen. Allen Luce, 
at this writing, is the keeper of Point Finos 
lighthouse. To George H. Rodfish and 
his wife were born three children, namely: 
Emma, now Mrs. W. H. Lambert, of Mon- 
terey county, born March 9, 1855; George 
Fen wick, February 1, 1859; and Jessen M., 
May 26, 1861, died in 1868. Mrs. Bodfish 
by maiden name was Sarah A. Brent, daugh- 
ter of Honorable William M. Brent, deceased, 
an eminent jurist and ex-member of Congress 
from Louisiana. 

George Fenwick Bodfish was educated in 
the public schools of San Jose and Monterey, 
and has for years been a dealer in stock, 
cattle and horses. He was married Decem- 
ber 23, 1884, to Miss Brenda R. Prague, a 
daughter of Honorable J. B. and Maria 
(Watkins) Prague, of New Orleans, Louis- 
iana. She is a lady of literary tastes and 
rare domestic accomplishments, and is a fre- 
quent contributor to the San Francisco daily 
papers and Monterey local press. She is a 
true southern lady, charming in her manner 
and brilliant in conversation. The fainilys 
home is in Pacific Grove. They have two 
interesting little boys. 



fOHN H. GAKBER comeso f old Penn- 
sylvania Dutch stock, a people proverb- 
ial for thrift, domestic neatness and that 
judicious conservatism which invariably leads 
to a comfortable competency if not to wealth. 
Mr. Garber was born in Trappe, Mont- 
gomery county, Pennsylvania, January 13, 
1845. He worked on a farm, when not at- 



tending the public school, till he had reached 
his twenty-fourth year. He then entered 
Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsyl- 
vania, of which institution he is a graduate 
of class '71. After that he taught school one 
year. Then he took a post-graduate course 
at Lehigh University, in his native State. 

In May, 1875, Mr. Garber came to this 
coast and took up his permanent abode at 
Salinas. For some time after his arrival 
he took hold of various employments, both at 
manuel labor and in assisting the county of- 
ficers in clerical work, serving four years as 
Deputy County Clerk. He revisited the 
scenes of his old home in the East for a few 
months, and on returning to Salinas, in 1881, 
he was again employed in the county olfices. 
In May, 1882, Mr. Garber was appointed 
County Surveyor to till the unexpired term 
of F. S. Ingalls, and has been elected to till 
that ofiice as the Democratic nominee ever 



§W. BRIGGS was born in Rome, Oneida 
county. New York, August 25, 
® 1819. He resided with his parents, 
attending the public schools, until the Janu- 
ary after he was twelve years old, when he 
entered the store of his cousin, Lyman Briggs, 
in Rome. He served as a clerk at Rome and 
Watertown until 1838, when he went to his 
parents in Lake county, Ohio. In 1840 he 
resolved to go South for the purpose of teach- 
ing, as he was very well fitted for that life, 
he having kept up his studies and read exten- 
sively on law questions. He went to Tennes- 
see an entire stranger, but was fortunate 
enough to get a school at Beech Grove Semin- 
ary, in Giles county, Tenn. 

In 1847, July 4, he married Miss Mary 
Stinson, one of his pupils. That year the 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



negro question was beginning to ajijitate tlie 
people, and his wife's family were all Presby- 
terians and opposed to slavery, although they 
owned slaves; a number of the family con- 
cluded to make their home in the free States, 
and after visiting a number of the Western 
States finally settled at Troj, in Davis county, 
Iowa, where our subject again went into mer- 
cantile life, and acted as Postmaster, School 
Trustee and "boss" generally. While here he 
was elected County Commissioner, Supervisor, 
and when the Board of Commissioners was 
abolished and the County Judgeship, having 
all the supervisors' and probate business; 
when criminal jurisdiction was created, he was 
elected to that office, as a Whig, altliciigh the 
county was a few hundred Democratic. 

This office he held four years, after which 
he resumed merchandising. In May, 1855, his 
wife died, leaving five children, one girl and 
four boys. In June, 1856, he married Miss 
Julia E. Willej, of Genesee, New York. In 
the same year he made up his mind to remove 
to California,, where he had a brother. Rev. 
M. C. Briggs, and in the spring of 1859 he 
started with his family and a number of the 
neighbors across the plains with an ox team 
and quite a herd of cattle. After all the usual 
hardships of the trip, our subject arrived in 
Santa Clara county October of that year and 
bought a farm at Berryessa, and as he knew 
as much about fanning as Greeley did he cal- 
culated to get rich. While threshing his first 
crop, in July, 1860, he accidentally fell into the 
cylinder of the thresher and lost his right letr. 
Farming did not look very encouraging after 
that. 

In the fall he was elected to represent Santa 
Clara county in the State Legislature, and at- 
tended the very important session of 1861, 
was the author of the Sunday law, which a 
recent Democratic legislature repealed. In 



the spring of 1861 he was appointed Kegister 
of the Land Office at Visalia, which position 
he filled for six years, and a portion of that 
time was the efficient editor of the Visalia 
Delta, which was published by his son. Afcer 
enduring from three to seven spells of chills 
per season for six years he removed to Gilroy 
in 1868, and again engaged in mercantle life. 
He held the position of Postmaster there for 
sixteen years, until he went out with his 
party. 

In June, in 1887, he came to Pacific Grove 
and, finding the climate, associations and con- 
ditions just suited to his notions of comfort- 
able life, he concluded to stay right here the 
few years of life remaining to him. Politi- 
cally he is a Republican, out and out, and be- 
longs to I. O. O. F. & A. M., L O. of G. 
T., and Knights of Honor. 

The children of our subject are as follows: 
H. M. Briggs, a merchant of Modesto; Walter, 
lumber merchant of Riverside, Calfornia, but 
by trade a mechanic; Mary B., the only livino- 
daughter, widow of Dr. J. E. Benn, of Gilroy 
She served for several years as Postmistress 
of Gilroy,~ and in that capacity she proved 
herself a woman of great executive ability. 
She is also an accomplished musician. 

Judge Briggs is without doubt the busiest 
and most prompt business man in Pacific 
Grove. lie is a man of genial manners, is 
well posted on all matters of public or local 
importance, and thousands flock to his office 
every season to confide in him their business 
aflfairs and ask tiie advice which is always 
forthcoming. This gentleman resides in a 
beautiful home, which is a bower of floral 
beauty. 

A son of our subject, the late Rev. Eugene 
Briggs, had the misfortune to lose his eyes at 
the age of nine years, but he was well edu- 
cated in a school for the blind, became a fine 



MONTE RET, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ , 



musician and music teacher, and finally en- 
tered the ministry and preached for ten years, 
without intermission, as an evangelist, travel- 
ing throughout the entire State of California. 
This wonderful man was a thorough Bible 
scholar, having read that book through from 
cover to cover fifteen times, using the raised 
letters and reading by feeling. He ofiiciated 
as pastor of a church at Downey, California, 
and erected a church edifice at that place. His 
death occurred at Crystal Springs, California, 
in 1890. 

Judge Briggs is now seventy-three years of 
age. For president he cast his first vote for 
William Henry Harrison, and expects to cast 
what will probably be his last vote, for the 
grandson, Benjamin. 

tNDREW LACQUER is a native of the 
Golden State, having been born at 
Diamond Springs, El Dorado county, 
December 17, 1853. His father, B. Lacquer, 
was a pioneer of 1850, and a native of Norway, 
coming to America in 1836. He located 
first in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, where he pur- 
sued his trade of a carpenter. Upon coming 
to California he went to the mines, and there 
resided until 1859. He finally located in 
Sonoma county, where he engaged in farm- 
ing, and there died in 1890, September 12. 
He married in Norway, and was the father of 
five children, of whom three sons and one 
daughter are living. 

Andrew is the third born of this family 
and spent his youth in Sonoma county, 
locating on his present home in 1887. Here 
he has seventy- two and one half acres of ex- 
cellent land, delightfully located at Hollister. 

Mr. Lacquer was married February 9, 1885, 
to Miss Ida B. Chestnut, a native of Cincin- 



nati, Ohio, and daughter of James G. Chest- 
nut, who came to California, following 
mining and mineral assaying as a business. 
Mr. and Mrs. Lacquer have three children: 
Anna, Merle and Laverne. 

Mr. Lacquer is a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen and K. of P. He 
and his wife are highly respected through- 
out the county in which they have their 
home. 



fOAH D. HALL was born in Fond du 
Lac, Wisconsin, September 21, 1851. 
His father and mother, aged eighty-six 
and eighty-three years, resprectively, are still 
living at the old home in Wisconsin. 

In 1872, at the age of nineteen years, he 
left his native home and came direct to San 
Jose, California. After remaining there a 
short time, he came to Hollister, San Benito 
county, and engaged in ranching. He was 
on a ranch for about five years, and each sea- 
son went with a threshing machine, acting as 
engineer. In 1877, he sold his ranch and 
started for Oregon, making the journey by 
team. Not liking the country in Oregon, he 
returned to Hollister in November of the 
same year, and engaged in the express and 
truck business. After conducting that busi- 
ness five years he sold out and began work at 
his trade, that of machinist. 

In 1874 Mr. Hall returned to the home of 
his childhood, and was there married to Miss 
Emma L. Conrad, by whom he has had four 
children, one son and three daughters, 
namely: Edna, Irvie, Mary and Kattie. At 
this writing (1892) they are aged fifteen, thir- 
teen, ten and seven years, respectively. 

Mr. Hall is now Superintendent of the 
Hollister Water Company, which position he 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



397 



has filled most efficiently for the last three 
years. He is an active member of the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient 
Order of [Tnited Workmen and the Ancient 
Order of Foresters. He is also a member 
of the National Association of Engineers. 
As a pioneer of the county he is well known, 
and wherever known is highly respected._^ 

fOSEPH NORTHKOP came to Califor- 
nia, in 1865, from Washington county, 
Vermont, town of Cabot. He is a 
native of Peacham, near Caledonia, Living- 
ston county. New York, March 26, 1837. 

Upon coming to the coast he first mined at 
Dutch Flats and at Gold Run, where he re- 
mained about nine years. He then came to 
Monterey county and located in the Salinas 
valley, where he has continuously farmed on 
the Cooper ranch since that time. Here he 
has 155 acres of land. 

Mr. Northrop's father died in Vermont, in 
1868, and all of his eleven children are still 
living, except three. None of them are on 
the coast, except our subject. The latter has 
a niece and nephew in California, however. 

Mr. Northrop is one of Castroville's best 
citizens, and is a prominent member of Con- 
fidence Lodge, No. 20, A. F. & A. M. of 
Castroville. 



,RS. HENRIETTA SKELTON, State 
Lecturer and Organizer of California 
for the Woman's Christian Temper- 
ance Union, is a native of Germany. She 
was born at Giessen, a daughter of Professor 
Heddrich, who was President of Heidelburo- 
Univert^ity. At fifteen years of age she was 



bereft of her parents and can)e to America, 
where she joined an uncle. Professor Karl 
Buff, a professor of Toronto University, 
(Canada). In 1869, being then seventeen 
years of age, she married Mr. Murray Skel- 
ton, a native of Plymouth, England, who was 
at that time Superintendent of the Northern 
railway of Canada. Mr. Skelton died in 
1871, and in 1883 she lost her only son, 
Louis G. 

Upon the death of her husband Mrs. Skel- 
ton threw herself into the temperance work, 
with which she lias since been identified. 
She established the first German temperance 
paper in the United States, at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, in 1880, which she christened the 
BahnbrecKer {Roadhreaker) and which she 
edited for two years and then gave it to the 
National Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union. Mrs. Skelton then went into the 
lecture field, in which line of temperance 
work she has since labored. 

She came to the Pacific coast in 1883, and 
did the first practical temperance work in 
southern California, establishing many of 
the live-working unions in that part of the 
State. Since that time she has traveled in 
twenty-eight States and Territories of the 
Union. She spent two years, 1880 and '87, 
as Lecturer and President of Idaho, and es- 
tablished the work there. Later she resumed 
the work in California, where her field of 
labor now is. 

Mrs. Skelton at the National Convention in 
Denver, 1892, was elected a member of the 
National Staff of Lecturers and Organizers, 
and her field of work greatly extended. 

Mrs. Skelton is a lady of great force of 
character and fine intellectual attainments. 
She has found time to write several instruc- 
tive books, and is the author of '-The Christ- 
mas Tree," a character story of home life in 



MONTEREY, SAJS BENITO, SANTA GRVZ, 



the Fatherland, with the scenes laid at Gies- 
sen, her native home. Another one of her 
productions is, "The Man Trap," a temper- 
ance story; and the third is entitled, "A Fatal 
Inheritance." She will soon issue from the 
press her most recent work, "Grace Morton." 

Mrs. Skelton is thoroughly imbued witlj 
the subject of her life work, temperance. 
She is entertainini^ on the platform, and a 
lady of great executive ability. Her home is 
at Facitic Grove and her personal friends, 
numbered by the thousands, are scattered 
across the continent. 

Mrs. Skelton has one grandson, Erdly, to 
whose future she is much devoted. 



^. 



fLIHU ANTHONY, one of the first 
settlers of Santa Cruz, California, was 
born in Saratoga county, New York, 
November 30, 1818. His parents were Asa 
and Sarah (O'Dell) Anthony: the former of 
Welsh descent, the latter of English. Their 
family consisted of six children, the subject 
of this sketch being the second. From the 
ao-e of five years till he was thirteen he 
attended the district schools during the 
winter months. His father was a mechanic, 
and started the first scythe factory in Sara- 
toga county. "With him Elihu learned the 
blacksmith trade. In 1»31 they moved to 
Allegany county, New York, and ten years 
later to Indiana. In the meantime our sub- 
ject went to Michigan, remaining a few 
months, after which he joined his father at 
Fort Wayne. There they worked at their 
trade till 1841, when Elihu was married and 
set out for himself. The lady of his choice 
was Frances Clark. 

Soon after their marriage they went to 
Wolf Lake, thirty miles from Fort Wayne, 



where he engaged at work at his trade. 
About this time he became interested 
in the salvation of his soul, was con- 
verted and joined the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. One month later he received a 
license to exhort, and three months after this 
was licensed to preach, and sent to Warsaw 
Circuit, North Indiana Conference. After 
serving as pastor on this charge for one year, 
he was sent to La Grange Circuit. While 
there his wife contracted a severe cold, which 
turned into hasty consumption, and~ caused 
her death. They had three children, all of 
whom died in infancy. 

He was married the second time in Fort 
Wayne, Indiana, in 1845, to Miss Sarah A. 
Van Anda, and their union has been blessed 
with the following children: Louisa, wife 
of Wilbur Huntington; Bascom F., Alman, 
Gilbert and Frank, all citizens of Santa Cruz 
except Alman, who lives in Tulare county, 
and who is one of the leading horticulturists 
of that county. 

In the fall of 1846 Mr. Anthony, wife and 
one child went to Oskaloosa, Iowa, on his 
way to Oregon, as a missionary. He left 
Oskaloosa May 1, 1847, as a member of a 
company composed of one hundred wagons 
and some four hundred men, women and 
children. They were on their way six 
months. At Fort Hall they met Mr. Apple- 
gate and two men who had gone to Oregon 
on a new route. Mr. Anthony left the com- 
pany near the sink of the Humboldt, and, on 
account of his wife's sickness, came to Cali- 
fornia, arriving at San Jose Mission, and two 
weeks later at San Jose, where he lived three 
months. In January, 1848, he came to Santa 
Cruz and took up an alcalde grant of land, 
and put up a shop on what is now Front 
street. Subsequently, be laid out the first 
town lots in what is now the most beautiful 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



2y9 



city on the coast. While in San Jose he 
preached the tirst Sunday to twelve men and 
women, and this is said to have been the first 
protestant sermon ever preached in the State 
of California. For several years he rode 
horsebacii from Santa Cruz to Sau Francisco 
and San Jose every four weeks, doing 
missionary work. He organized the first 
society in Santa Cruz with seveTi members. 
In 1854 he asked to resign, since which time 
he lias not preached, but he has ever been a 
faithful attendant upon tlie services of the 
cliurch, and has, by his large means, aided 
the good work, helping to build churches, 
support the gospel, etc. 

Mr. Anthony followed mining a little in 
1884, and in his shop he made seven dozen 
picks, which sold for three ounces of gold 
each. They were made of iron bolts with 
the points made of old files. After he came 
back from the mines he opened a stock of 
goods with A. A. Hecox, with whom he con- 
tinued one year. In January, 1848, he laid 
out the first town lots in Santa Cruz. In 
1851 he tore down his old shop and built a 
better one. It was a story and a half high, 
and was used for a store, offices and the post 
office. He was the tirst Postmaster and received 
the first mail ever delivered to Santa Cruz in 
December, 1849, which was two letters and 
one newspaper from San Jose. The mail 
carrier brought them in his pocket, sealed. 
For thirteen years he was Postmaster, and 
also kept a store. In 1871 he built a fine 
block on the old site, In the upper story is 
Anthony's hall, and tiie lower story is used 
for store-rooms. Mr. Anthony owns some 
very valuable property in Santa Cruz and 
vicinity, from which he realizes a handsome 
income in the way of rents, etc. He has al- 
ways taken an active interest in the county, 
nd was one of its tirst Supervisors. He 



served one year as County Treasurer, and was 
the choice of the people for the Assembly in 
1880. He has led a very active life, and has 
identified himself with everything that has 
been for the proper development of the 
county's resources. 

This is, in brief, an outline of the life of one 
of the pioneers and leading citizens of Santa 
Cruz, and, althougii only an outline, it will 
serve to show something of his long, success- 
ful and useful life. 

T. DUNCAN.— Mr. Duncai. is a 
native of California and was born 
" at San Francisco, July 6, 1850. 
His father, Thomas Duncan, was a California 
pioneer of 1849, who came to the State from 
Buenos Ayres, South America, via Cape 
Horn. Thomas was born of English parents, 
at Buenos Ayres and there married a lady of 
Scotch parentage. Upon coming to Califor- 
nia they settled in San Fiancisco. One son, 
James D. Duncan, came with them. Heis now 
a butcher of Gonzales. The father, Thomas, 
died in 1862, but his wife still survives him 
and resides at San Rafael, this State. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in 
the public schools of Marin county, Califor- 
nia, where he learned the butcher trade and 
followed the same about fifteen years. In 
1876 he came to Monterey county and 
worked for Hon. C. S. Abbott, until the fall 
of 1888, when he was elected to the office of 
County Auditor, on the Democratic ticket. 

He was re-elected, in 1890, and still holds 
the position. 

Our subject married, in 1878. Miss Julia, 
a daughter of B. B. Eaton, a carpenter and 
contractor. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have two 
children, namely: Charles D. and Emily F. 



300 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



Mr. Duncan is an efficient officer, as is 
evinced by his reelection to office and it also 
indicates his popularity with his fellow- 
citizens. 

fOB WOOD, Jr.— If, as is universally 
conceded, the life and perpetuity of our 
Government are based on the intelli- 
gence of our people, vsfhen we take into con- 
sideration our public-school system, — that 
network of "people's colleges" which rami- 
fies the lengtii and breadth of tliis republic, 
— then can we vision ahead numberless cycles 
of prosperity for this great land of ours. 
Monterey county is abreast of any county in 
California in the number of its facilities for 
popular instruction, and the curriculum of 
studies is as practical as it is diverse. This 
prosperous condition of the public schools is 
the result of the labors of many, but perhaps 
no one is more entitled to a generous recog- 
nition of his services in this usually thank- 
less field than the subject of this sketch. 

Mr. AVood was born in Meigs county, Ohio, 
July 19, 1856. When a lad his time was 
occupied in working on the farm or in the 
gristmill owned by liis father. He attended 
the public schools for about five months in 
the year, until he was nine years of age. He 
was diligent in seeking knowledge, and culti- 
vated every opportunity for study that his 
occupied enei-gies could lay hold on. In 1865 
he removed with his father's family to St. 
Francois county, Missouri, to a farm near 
Farmington. Here his time was nearly 
altogether taken up in the labors of the field 
till he reached his majority, though he let 
slip no opportunity to train and replenish his 
mind with such information as an inter- 
mittent course of reading could provide. In 



1876 he visited his uncle. Job Wood, in 
Pleyto, Monterey county, California, where 
he engaged in farming, attending the public 
schools whenever he could, and reading studi- 
ously. He had by this time mastered the 
elements of a practical Englisli education, 
and, in order to thoroughly equip himself 
for his chosen profession, he attended a 
course at the Normal of San Jose, passing 
with credit his examination for a teacher's 
certificate in December, 1879. He taught 
his first school at Pleyto, the next year at 
Spring school, near Salinas, and afterward 
served as principal of the East End school, 
Salinas. Being earnestly urged to return to 
tlie Spring school, he did so, remaining there 
nearly five years. It is no small test of the 
appreciation in which Mr. Wood is held, tiiat 
his services were being constantly sought 
wherever he had taught the youth of the 
country. In the fall of 1886 we find him 
back again as principal of the East End 
school, Salinas. 

In 1886 he was elected County Superin- 
tendent of Public Schools, on the Republican 
ticket, by a majority of ninety-three votes; 
and four years later he was re-elected to the 
same position, this time by a majority of 
nearly 500 votes. These figures speak louder 
than any encomiums. His zeal in the cause 
of education is unmistakable, while his 
encouragement to teachers, and his tact in 
superintending them, render his work most 
efficient. Mr. Wood has a system that is not 
necessarily an inflexible one, but one that 
renders mutuality of dependence between 
teacher and superintendent. He has intro- 
duced a method of reports which enables him 
to locate every child in the county, with age, 
class and attendance, without occupying more 
than a minute in so doing. It is as simple 
as it is oriujinal and effectual. 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



Mr. Wood is a man of family. He was 
married September 27, 1883, to Miss Eva- 
line A. Miller, of Saliua, a Canadian by birth, 
and has one son. 

fAPTAIN KOBERT H. McILROY, pro- 
prietor of a hotel at Emmett, San Benito 
connty, California, was born in Harri- 
son county, Ohio, September 22, 1824. His 
father, a farmer by occupation, and a pioneer 
of Harrison county, emigrated from there to 
Pike county, Illinois, in 1836, taking with 
him his family. The subject of our sketch 
was the third born iu a family of nine chil- 
dren. He received his education in Pike 
county, and at nineteen years of age started 
out to seek his fortune. He was married in 
1847 to Miss Mary A. Nelson, a native of 
Ohio, and a daughter of Elisha Nelson, and 
of her children one son is now living,- — ^Will- 
iam N. McElroy, of Emmett, California. 

Soon after his marriage, Mr. Mcllroy went 
to Wisconsin, and located near Platteville, 
where he engaged in mining until the fall of 

1849. He then came across the plains to 
California, and engaged in mining on the 
Yuba river, at Foster's bar and Goodyear's 
bar, with more than average success. He 
traded a mining claim for a mule, prospected 
for a time, and then engaged in merchandis- 
ing on J street, Sacramento. In September, 

1850, he transferred his base of operations to 
Mormon bar on the American river. In 1851 
he i-eturned East and brought his family to 
California, and upon his arrival here, in 1852, 
settled on a farm near San Jose. In 1857 he 
removed to a ranch near near the Twenty- 
one-Mile house in Santa Clara county, and 
there lived until 1863. In 1861 he raised 
and mustered a company of militia, known in 



history as the Burnett Light Horse Guards. 
He was elected Captain of this company, and 
served as Captain until February, 1863, but 
resigned his commission and raised a second 
company of ninety-five mounted men, mus- 
tered into the United States service as Com- 
pany E, of the First California Cavalry, and 
served as Captain of said company until 
March, 1866, in Arizona and New Mexico, 
under General Carleton. 

Keturning home in 1866, Captain Mcllroy 
was appointed United States Revenue Col- 
lector, and also Deputy United States Mar- 
shal, and also Under Sheriff of Santa Clara 
county, by Sheriff Adams, and served until 
March 4, 1870. He held the position of 
Marshal for two years, and that of Revenue 
Collector for four years. He then came to 
San Benito county, and located 368 acres of 
land on Tres Pinos creek, since known as Elk 
Horn station, on a public thoroughfare. 
Here he keeps a comfortable hotel, and has 
served as Postmaster of Emmett for four 
successive terms. He has also held the ofSce 
of Justice of the Peace eight terms, and is a 
notary pnblic- As a soldier his record is a 
brilliant one, and as a citizen he is held in 
high esteem by all who know him. 

ILLIAM D. TUTTLE, of Watson- 
ville, Califoi-nia, was born in Wash- 
ington county, Pennsylvania, August 
29, 1821, and is the oldest son of Hiram and 
Annie (Dille) Tuttle, natives of Pennsylvania 
and New Jersey respectively. When Will- 
iam was two months old his parents moved 
to Ohio, where he was educated in the district 
schools, such as they were, and brought up to 
work on a frontier farm, grubbing, making 
rails, chopping, etc. At the age of eighteen 



303 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



he went to Iowa with his father. When he 
was twenty-one years old, he left home and 
settled on a claim near Ottuinwa. On this 
he remained until 1857, when he went to 
Johnson county, Kansas, and bought 160 
acres of land. There he farmed till 1875. 
That year he came to California and located 
in Watsonville, where he has since remained. 
He has a neat home in the town, and a line little 
fruit ranch adjoining, and here he is spending 
the evening of his life, surrounded with the 
comforts and luxuries that this sunny clime 
affords. He has been a farmer all his life, 
and for fifty-eight years has never missed 
plowing and sowing some ground. Though 
now well advanced in years, he still does not 
feel right if he cannot plow a small patch of 
ground and plant out something which he can 
watch grow. 

Mr. Tuttle was married November 9, 1848, 
to Sarah A. Rouse, a native of Indiana, and 
a daughter of David and Eliza (Mansan) 
House. Following are their children: Mil- 
ton, a butcher of Watsonville; Elizabeth A.; 
Mary F., wife of C. A. Cook; and Flora B., 
deceased. The mother died November '28, 
1888, aged fifty-nine years. Mr. Tuttle is a 
highly respected citizen, and an intelligent 
supporter of the Prohibition party. He has 
never paid a dollar for any intoxicant as a 
beverage. 



^H ILLI AM BARDIN, deceased, the old- 
ImPi ®®* ^^'^ "^^ the late James Bardin, was 
f^l born in Tippah county, Mississippi, 
January 31, 1843. In 1856 he came to 
California with his father, when only thirteen 
years of age. 

William grew up on his father's farm, and 
was known as a joung man of unusual at- 
tainments in business matters. He was at 



his father's side in all his enterprises, and 
early took an interest in local politics. By 
nature social and genial he made a large 
number of friends, who greatly mourn his 
loss; epecially was he mourned by the early 
settlers, who took such a pride in his bright- 
ness and business instincts. Mr. Bardin was 
strictly a moral man in his habits and 
disposition and became a successful farmer. 

March 29, 1871, he married Mrs. Mary A. 
Collins Stone, widow of Thomas H. C. Stone, 
and daughter of General Benjamin Collins, a 
pioneer of Arkansas, and a native of Geor- 
gia. Mrs. Bardin was boni in Tippah county, 
June 16, 1848. 

February 9, 1891, occurred the lamented 
death of our subject, who left a sorrowing 
widow and three children: Ada May, Oliver 
and John C. 

Mr. Bardin left his family well provided 
for, as his estate consists of valuable lands in 
the Salinas valley, 664 acres in all, and 150 
more in the State of Washington. The mem- 
ory of this gentleman will linger long after 
that of many has faded from the minds of 
those who know them. 



|g2||.ALTER WALLACE, a substantial 
citizen and successful business man 
of Castroville, is a native of Ireland, 
having been born in Galway, Ireland, March 
16, 1855. He was reared in his native land, 
where he learned the trade of a butcher. In 
1877, he came to California, and the follow- 
ing year located at Salinas, where he engaged 
in business as a member of the butcher es- 
tablishment of E. St. John & Co. and there 
continued nntil he located at Castroville, 
in 1890. He is a fine business man, and 
enjoys the respect and esteem of all who 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



know him for his practical knowledge of his 
trade. 

Mr. Wallace was married, in Salinas, April 
23, 1890, to Miss Mary Vaughn, a native 
daughter of Monterey county, and eldest 
daughter of P. Vaughn, a well known farmer 
and pioneer citizen of Salinas. 

Mr. Wallace is the owner of some line 
residence property in Salinas, and a beautiful 
home in Castroville. 



^EORGE GRAVES, deceased, was a na- 
nlWjp tive of Marion county, Kentucky, where 
^r- he was born, July 28, 1813, near the 
town of Lebanon. His father, William 
Graves, was a planter by occupation, and 
slave owner, and carried on a large business. 
Of his five children, George was the eldest. 

Unr subject left Kentucky in 1846, and 
located in Nottaway county, near Marysville, 
where he lived four years. In 1850 he came 
to California, and located near San Leandro, 
in Alameda county, but soon returned to Ken- 
tucky for his family, which he brought to 
the " Golden State " across the plains, via 
Carson river. They lived about four years 
in Alameda county, when they located on the 
present estate, near Salinas, in 1853, where 
Mr. Graves built up a fine property, reared 
his family and served the public as an enter- 
prising, upright citizen. His death occurred, 
April 20, 1889, when he had attained the age 
of seventy-six years, leaving behind him a 
handsome property as provision for his fam- 
ily. A large circle of friends and relatives 
mourn his loss. 

Mr. Graves was married in Kentucky, 
August 15, 1846, to Miss Nancy, a daugh- 
ter of Ignatius Walker, a farmer of Marion 
county. Siie was born January 30, 1825, 



and reared in the same neighborhood as her 
husband. She still survives, and is the 
mother of eight children, namely: Ann 
Lethea, now Mrs. Jackson Geliitt. of Ven- 
tura; Georgiana, now Mrs. Robert C. Bemiss, 
of San Jose; Siraion, lives on the farm; 
Jennie, now Mrs. J.J. Conner, of Salinas; 
Mary, now Mrs. J. J. Kelly, of Salinas; 
Benjamin and Charles, at home. 

By a former marriage Mr. Graves had four 
children, namely: Thomas Graves, and Will- 
iam T. [jGraves; and Lovina, a daughter, 
who married Eijenezer Harris, but is deceased; 
and another daughter, Rosina, a widow of 
Robert Laws, of San Francisco. 

Mr. Graves was a man of great energy 
and probity, and was highly esteemed by all 
who knew him. 

l^^mlCHAEL RIORDAN can claim the 
ff^wl^ honor of being a pioneer of Califor- 
*^^^ nia, having come to the State in 
1854, landing at San Francisco. He had 
come to that city direct from St. Louis, Mis- 
souri, via Nicaragua. He is a native of Lim- 
erick, Ireland, born on September 18, 1834. 
Upon his arrival in California he spent about 
six months in the mines of Yuba county and 
then bought and ran a dray in San Francisco 
for about four years. His next ventui'e was 
raising sheep in the Salinas valley. This 
business he pursued for ten years, from 
1858 to 1868. He then engaged in farming 
at Natividad, and in 1890 he engaged in 
merchandising at Salinas, in which line of 
business he still continues. 

Our subject was married, in San Francisco, 
in 1859, to Miss Margaret Coughlan, of Irish 
parentage and they have four living children, 
namely: Tiiomas J., born in San Francisco, 
is the present efficient Clerk of Monterey 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, 8 ANT A CRUZ, 



county; Philip H., deceased; Joseph M., 
William F. and James E., all native sons of 
California, and all except the oldest born in 
Monterey county. Mr. Riordan is esteemed 
for his integrity and upright citizenship. 

T-tTILLIAM SHAW (deceased) was the 
l7 \/;j pioneer journalist of Hollister, and 
l-tg!^ as will he seen by the following was 
active, enterprising and aggressive in his 
work. He was a native of Dublin, Ireland, 
being born in that city in 1815. He was, 
however, reared and educated in Liverpool, 
England, where early in mature life he era- 
barked in the stationery business, and in this 
city married Miss ^mina Jsewling, of Man- 
chester, England. 

In 1854, lured by the reported discovery of 
gold in Australia, he purchased a schooner of 
seventy-five tons burden and with his wife, 
his SOD Eobert (the present efficient County 
Clei'k, of San Benito county) and crew em- 
barked for that country. Upon his arrival at 
Melbourne he established The Melbourne 
Age and entered the field of journalism. This 
enterprise proved a success and the paper is 
still issued, being one of the influential peri- 
odicals of the county. 

In 1862 he left Australia, sailing for New 
Zealand, where he engaged in the same line 
of business quite extensively, and which 
proved very successful. His next field of 
conquest was in the Sandwich Islands, where 
he purchased and edited the Haioaiian Daily 
Times, which he operated about seven months. 
In 1871 he came to San Francisco, remaining 
there about eighteen months, and the follow- 
ing year located in Hollister Here he estab- 
lished the San Benito Advance, which soon 
ranked among the leading weekly publica- 



tions of the State as an aggressive exponent 
of the resonrces and attractions of its chosen 
locality. This was the pioneer newspaper of 
Hollister, and the plant and outfit were the 
same which Mr. Shaw had used in printing 
his paper in New Zealand. 

After Mr. Shaw's death, Mr. George Shaw, 
the second son, succeeded to theovvnershipof 
the Advance (of which mention is made else- 
where in this work). Mr. Shaw had eight 
children, seven of whom are sons: Robert, 
born in Melbourne, Australia, July 16, 1855, 
and was married in San Francisco, in 1878, 
to Miss Kate, daughter of John Bowen (de- 
ceased) ; they are the parents of five children : 
George E., Albert D., J. Harnette; William 
F. Shaw, the fourth son was born in New 
Zealand, August 25, 1865; in 1889 Miss 
Emma, who was born in Watsonville, (Cali- 
fornia, and a daughter of Jonas L. Myles, 
became his wife; one child has been born to 
them, Reginald; Charles J., and one daugh- 
ter, Ada, widow of the late Lester Baldwin. 

Mrs. Shaw still survives and resides in Hol- 



lister. 



-^^-^i^^t^?^^ 



ILLIAM HENRY HAVER.— Mr. 
Haver is one of the thrifty farmers 
of the Salinas valley. He was born 
in Ashtabula county, Ohio, January 10, 1841. 
At twenty years of age he came to Califor- 
nia, with his eldest brother, Horace Haver, 
who is now a resident of Watsonville. Mr. 
Haver lived one year in San Mateo county, 
whereupon he located in Monterey county, 
on the Cooper ranch in the vicinity of Cas- 
troville, where he has since farmed 150 acres 
of the this ranch. Mr. Haver has pur- 
chased a farm, a portion of the Buena Vista 
ranch, and will soon locate there. 

He married in Watsonville, October 24, 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



305 



1880, to Miss Annie, a daughter of Theoph- 
ilus Candill. She is a native of Monterey 
county. Mr. and Mrs. Haver have four chil- 
dren: William H., Jr., died September 30, 
1883; Lottie, Eva and John E. 



fAMES THOMPSON was born in Edin- 
burgh, Scotland, in the year 1832, and 
comes of a noble line of ancestry, whose 
character has ever been above reproach. His 
father, William Thompson, was born in Scot- 
land, in 1801, andjhis oiother, whose maiden 
name was Margaret Anderson, was also a 
native of that country. They were married 
in 1824, and lived happily together for many 
years, until his death, which occurred in 
1885, and the mother died the following year. 
To them were born nine children, of whom 
five are now living. 

James Thompson was married near Edin- 
burgh, Scotland, in 1854, to Mary Bailley. 
By her he had eight sons and four daughters, 
of whom the following- named are living, two 
having died in Canada and one in California: 
William, born in 1856, Andrew in 1858, 
Adam in 1860, these three being natives of 
Edinburgh; Matthew in 1862, Joseph in 
1864 and John in 1866, born in Canada; and 
Jane and David in Monterey county, Cali- 
fornia, the former in 1875 and the latter in 
1882. In September, 1889, the mother of 
these cliiklren died of cancer. She was a 
woman of many estimable qualities; was 
educated and cultured, and previous to lier 
marriage had been engaged in teaching school. 
She was a consistent member of the United 
Presbyterian Church, and was a true Chris- 
tian, always exerting an influence for good 
wherever she went. Of their children we 
state that William, the oldest son, married 



Miss Mary Dillon, by whom he had a son 
and a daughter. His wife died in 1888, and 
he subsequently wedded a Miss Johnson. 
Mary Thompson, the second daughter, was 
married in 1881 to William Williamson. She 
became the mother of one child, a daughter, 
and died a year later. Matthew, another son, 
married Katie Logwood, daughter of Edward 
Logwood, in 1890. 

Mr. Thompson came to California in 1874, 
since which time he has been a resident of this 
State. He and his sons have been engaged 
in farming and stock-raising, chiefly in Mon- 
terey county. Atone time he superintended 
the large ranch of the Hon. Jesse D. Carr, 
and while acting in this capacity gained 
much valuable information in regard to the 
tinest breeds of cattle, horses and sheep. He 
now carries on farming on a large scale, hav- 
ing met with good success in his various 
operations. He has served the public as Clerk 
of the Board of School Trustees. By all who 
know him he is held in high esteem, and is 
regarded as a man of the strictest integrity. 

PB. McCROSKEY, deceased October 1, 
1888. In the death of B. B. McCros- 
® key San Benito county has lost an 
able and faithful District Attorney, Hollister 
has lost an enterprising citizen, his friends 
mourn the loss of one in whom they could 
rely, and his family are bereft of a tender and 
affectionate husband, brother and father. Few 
men in this portion of the State were better 
known and few were moi"e popular. As a 
lawyer he was faithful in the detail work so 
often neglected by his fraternity, and at the 
bar he was both eloquent and convincing. 
He possessed all the attributes of a successful 
attorney, and had his life been spared he 



306 



MONT BRET, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



wonld undoubtedly have been prominent in 
his profession, not only in his county, but out- 
side of it. His legal acquaintances held him 
in high esteem, and his loss is more deeply 
mourned by them than by any other of his 
associates. 

Mr. McCroskey was born in 1847 in East 
Tennessee, in the beautiful Sweet Water val- 
ley. His early life was passed on the Mc- 
Croskey homestead, and he early displayed 
an adaptability for scholastic pursuits. His 
early education was gained in the district 
schools, but at an early age he attended col- 
lege at Hiwassee and Lebanon, at which 
institutions he graduated with high honors. 
For "a while he taught school, but having 
fitted himself for the legal profession, he was 
admitted to the bar, and for a number of 
years practiced law in Monroe county, Ten- 
nessee. In 1878, however, he came to Hol- 
lister, and in June of that year opened up an 
office. He shortly afterward formed a part- 
nership with Robert H. Brotherton, which 
did not exist long. His office was first on 
San Benito street next to that occupied by 
]M. C. Briggs, then in the Odd Fellows' block, 
and in 1882 he moved into the quarters 
where his office has since been located. In 
1883 and the year following he was in part- 
nership with John L. Hudner, Esq. This 
alliance was severed in 1885, but was renewed 
again in 1887, and at the time of Mr. Mc- 
Ci'oskey's death the partnership still existed. 
For six years he was engaged on one side or 
the other of almost every ease which has come 
before the courts of this county. In the Prew- 
ett. Mylar and Carleton cases he was promi- 
nently connected, and in these and other 
trials his talent and ability have been dis- 
played. 

In the fall of 1882 he was elected District 
Attorney, which office he has satisfactorily 



filled. In 1884 he was defeated for the Su- 
perior Judgeship, but in 1886 was again 
elected District Attorney, for which position 
he was a candidate at the ensuing election 
with no opponent to contest his election. 
Stricken down while in perfect health and in 
the enjoyment of all his faculties, both mental 
and bodily, his sudden death cast a gloom 
over the town and county. The family and 
relatives of the deceased were tendered the 
sympathy of the entire community. 

Mr. McCroskey married October 21, 1874, 
Miss Irene Clifford Barratt, at Madisonvillej 
Tennessee, and the following are the names 
of her children: Mary Irene, born August 3, 
1875, died February 24, 1886; Elizabeth 
Priscilla, born November 21, 1876, died 
October 24, 1878; Benjamin Barratt, born 
February 9, 1880; and John Marshall, born 
September 19, 1881. Mr. McCroskey left a 
comfortable estate behind him for his wife 
and little ones. 



fAMES McDOUGALL.— Among the 
honored pioneers of Salinas occurs the 
name of the venerable James McDou- 
gall, a native of Scotia, having been born 
March 3, 1815. 

In his native land he learned the baker's 
and confectioner's trades and came to Amer- 
ica in 1841, and located land in Lake county, 
Illinois, where he resided until 1852. At 
that date he came, overland to California, via 
Salt Lake and Southern route into San Ber- 
nardino county, with an ox team, bringing 
with him his wife and one child. The first 
winter was spent in Santa Barbara county, 
and from there the little family removed to 
Monterey county, where the father found 
employment with David Jacks, Esq., of 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



Monterey. Mr. McDougall worked for wages 
for one year and then engaged in farming 
for himself in the Carmel valley, later 
removed to Blanco, near Salinas, and in 1868 
he located in Salinas, from which point he 
did a general teaming and freighting busi- 
ness. This he pursued about ten years. 
At present Mr. McDougall is engaged in 
merchandising at Salinas, where he has spent 
BO many years, and where he is greatly es- 
teemed by all who know him for his ster- 
ling qualities of character and strict honesty 
in his l)usiness dealings. 

While discharging his duties as City Mar- 
shal of Salinas, which position he held ten 
years, he received seven gunshot wounds, 
which seriously impaired his health for sotne 
time. 

Mr. McDougall was married, October, 
1835, to Miss Margaret Parlen, also of 
Scottish birth, and the following children 
have been born to them: James H., leading 
business man of Salinas; Daniel T., a carpen- 
ter by trade, an ex-soldier, resident of Salinas; 
Margaret, now Mrs. M. M. Huges; Bell, 
wife of J. A. McCollum, Tax Collector of 
Monterey county; John and George, of Santa 
Barbara county. 

fUAN POMBER. one of the well-known 
and highly respected citizens of Castro- 
ville, is a native son of the soil, having 
been born at Monterey. 

His father, Loais Pomber, came to this 
country as one of the three survivors of a 
party of 400 trappers, who left Canada for 
California, under the leadership of Jared 
Smith. Mr. Pomber, Sr., was of French ex- 
traction and a brave, aggressive and adven- 
turous man. He made his way through 



southern California via Kern and Tulare 
counties to San Jose and engaged for about 
two years in ranching. He was of a mechani- 
cal turn of mind,- an excellent stonemason 
and also worked in wood. He was at Mon- 
terey as early as 1821, and resided there 
for several years, and took part in the civil, 
local and military affairs of those days. In 
1823 he married Filomena, a daughter of 
Dolores Pico, and they had thirteen children, 
of whom ten lived to maturity. Mr. Pomber 
manufactured carts entirely of wood after 
the old primitive style of solid wooden 
wheels, and with them did a freighting busi- 
ness. He died at Castroville, in 1864, and 
his wife in the same place, in 1887. 

Juan, the subject of this sketch is one of 
the eldest of the family, and was born at Mon- 
terey, August 13, 1836. For many years he 
engaged, with his father, in building in Mon- 
terey, and erected many of the old Spanish 
adobe houses in that city. In 1850 they 
moved out of Monterey to a ranch in the 
Pajaro valley, where he remained until 1863, 
when he engaged in business at Castroville. 

Mr. Pomber married Miss Marie A. 
Boronda, a daughter of Jose Manuel Bo- 
ronda, at Castroville, in 1868, and ten chil- 
dren have been added to their family. 

Our subject is a highly esteemed citizen of 
California and is a prominent business man 
of Castroville. 



ILLIAM PALMTAG, a prominent 
citizen of San Benito, who has been 
for the past five years Supervisor of 
the county and Chairman of that body since 
1886, is of Teutonic extraction, born in Ba- 
den, Germany, in 1847. The father of 
young Palmtag was a farmer by occupation, 
and the boy spent his early life on his father's 



N/ 



308 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CUVZ, 



farm, acquiring meanwhile such education as 
was afforded by the schools of his native 
home. He comes of a prolific race, and the 
members of his immediate family consisted 
of father, mother, eleven boys and one girl. 
Six of the brothers had preceded the subject 
of this sketch to California, and when he had 
attained his seventeenth year his enterprising 
and ambitious spirit predominated. Bidding 
good- by to his native heath, he proceeded 
to Liverpool, whence he set sail for Calfornia 
via New York and the Isthmus of Panama, 
arriving in San Francisco in November, 
1863. From the metropolis of California he 
went direct to Nevada county, where for the 
following three years he was engaged in 
mining, part of the time as an employe 
and part of the time hydraulicking on his own 
account. During the last year of his stay in 
Nevada county, he was employed as a clerk 
in a grocery store. Then, after a short so- 
journ in Watson ville, he located in the Sa- 
linas valley, where he engaged in farming, 
and followed that pursuit for one year with 
such poor success that he seriously impaired 
the small capital which by his energy and 
industry, he had acquired in the mines of 
Nevada county. In the fall of that year, 
1869, he went to Watsonville, where his 
brother, one of the six who had preceded him 
to America, was engaged in the brewery 
business, and here he remained and was em- 
ployed in driving a beer wagon for his 
brother until the spring of 1872. Having 
by tliis time, after several strokes of ill for- 
tune, again accumulated the necessary means, 
he came to Hollister and established himself 
in the wholesale and retail liquor business, 
which he continued to run in his own name 
until 1882. His business had prospered and 
by close attention thereto and shrewdness 
and sobriety, he had accumulated considera- 



ble money and was desirous of visiting the 
land of his birth: so he took in as a partner 
in his business, Mr. Charles Bernhardt, and 
placed him in charge and control thereof, and 
the following year he made a trip to Ger- 
many, spending six months in the Father- 
land, reviewing the scenes of his childhood 
and paying a pleasant visit to his brothers 
and other relatives, his mother and father 
having died several years before. Upon his 
return to Hollister he purchased the interest 
of Mr. Bernhardt and soon afterward joined 
forces with Messrs. Barg and Kleen, who 
were running a similar business in the town, 
and since that time the business has been con- 
ducted under the firm name of Palmtag, 
Barg & Kleen. 

Mr. Palratag's time is now taken up in 
attending to his ranch, which consists of 420 
acres, about 150 of which are set in vines, 
while the rest is devoted to general farming. 
The ranch is on rich bottom land and well 
suited to the growing of alfalfa, of which up- 
ward of 100 tons are raised by Mr. Palmtag 
yearly and used mainly to feed his own 
stock. A winery of the most modern style, 
on which §10,000 were last year spent in re- 
pairing and renovating, is part of the prop- 
erty, and in it the product of the vineyard is 
made into wine of a superior quality and 
bouquet, which is sold to customers in San 
Francisco and the adjoining counties. One 
of the advantages which Mr. Palmtag pos- 
sesses over the majority of other vineyardists 
in California is that he is possessed of the 
necessary means to enable him to keep his 
wines in storage for a year or two, until it 
becomes marketable, instead of being obliged, 
on account of scarcity of funds, to sell 
it at an almost losing price as soon as it 
is squeezed from the grape and before it has 
had time to mature. 



AND -SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



On the incorporation of the Farmers and 
Merchants' Bank of Hollister, November 3, 
1891, Mr. Palratag was elected its President. 

Mr. William Palmtag is a stanch Demo- 
crat, and has, since he took the oath of allegi- 
ance to Uncle Sam, been a sincere adherent 
to that great political party. In 1876 he was 
elected one of the Town Trustees, and was 
thereafter twice re-elected to that honorable 
office. His honor and the conscientious 
handling of the trust which had been placed 
in him, was duly appreciated by the citizens 
of this district of San Henito county, as 
shown by the fact that he was chosen from 
among the many prominent residents to 
represent this district in the Board of Super- 
visors, of which honorable body he was made 
Chairman in 1886, which position he has 
maintained and filled with honor to himself 
and satisfaction to his constituents for the 
past six years. Mr. Palmtag is univers- 
ally recognized and respected as a man who, 
in the discharge of official duties, is incor- 
ruptible and fully deserving of the trusts 
which have been reposed in him. In 1880, 
he was sent to the Convention at Oakland to 
nominate State delegates to the National Con- 
vention at, Cincinnati, and was likewise chosen 
as the representative to the Los Angeles Con- 
vention last year,whicli nominated delegates 
to the national Democratic Convention at St. 
Louis, and notwithstanding the opposition 
which he meets from the Prohibition element 
of Hollister and Saii Benito county, he has 
never been defeated for any office fur which 
he has accepted the nomination. 

Mr. Palmtag was married, in 1875, to 
Miss Kate Moore, of Amador county. He 
lives in a comfortable home in Hollister, 
which gives every indication of being one of 
contentment and happiness. 

Mr. Palmtag is a shrewd, conservative 



man of business. He has worked hard since 
he has been in Hollister, the disposition to 
do so being one of the characreristics of 
his nature. He has acquired the handsome 
competency, which he now possesses, by hon- 
orable methods and by close and constant 
application to his business aflairs, and he 
richly deserves the high estimation in which 
he is held throughout the country. In addi- 
tion to his residence in Hollister, he owns 
the building in which the business of the 
firm is conducted — fifty-six feet on San 
Benito and 150 feet on Fifth street — and the 
ranch previously referred to. On this latter 
he employs continually from fifteen to twenty- 
five men. 

MMfi J- FIELD is a native of Indiana, 
■MW born June 3, 1848, in Scott county. 
'^' ® He spent his boyhood in Kentucky, 
went South in 1863, where he remained until 
1874. He then entered the employment of 
the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company, 
in 1865, and was for many years associated 
with railroad work. He came to California 
in 1874, and for several years was in the em- 
ploy of the Southern Pacific Railroad Coai- 
pany. 

He was married October 24, 1882, to Miss 
Cutatina Danglada, a daughter of Don Raphal 
Danglada (deceased). Don Raphal was a 
native of Spain and of French descent, and a 
professor of instrumental music. He came 
to Monterey in 1849, and in 1853 married 
Marie Antonia, the third child of Don Estevan 
Munras (a sketch of whose useful life appears 
elsewhere in this work). Prof Danglada was 
for many years the only professional musician 
in Monterey, and as a man was possessed of 
rare social gifts. 

Some of his ancestors were celebrated 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



scientists, an uncle being the discoverer of 
the art of daguerreotyping, which revolution- 
ized the early practice of portrait-making. 
Don Raphal died at San Luis Obispo in 1867. 
His widow,still surviving, is making her home 
with her daughter, Mrs. Field. 

Mr. T. J. Field of late years has devoted 
himself to the management of the extensive 
interests of the Mnnras estate. The family 
home is the Munras adobe, one of the finest 
specimens of the spacious early day adobe 
architecture in the county, and is the birth 
place of Mrs. Field, her mother and her (Mrs. 
Field's) children, of whom there are two: a 
daughter, Antoinette, born December 5, 1885; 
and a son, Stephen J., born December 5, 
1886. 

Mr. Field is a business man of absolutely 
unimpeachable integrity, and has served as 
a member of the Board of Supervisors of 
Monterey county since 1884. 

^ift®) ^' ^^^^E '^^^ ^^0''" "' Wayne 
'^rvWi county, Indiana, in 1835, but af- 
■^^^^"^terw ard moved to Howard county, 
where his father, David Moore, a farmer by 
occupation and a carpenter by trade, pur- 
chased a large farm. 

Mr. Moore came to the Golden State in 
1858, arriving in San Francisco, February 
17, of that year. He worked for a time in 
Gilroy, Santa Clara county, in the dairy busi- 
ness, tiien came to the Pajaro valley and en- 
gaged in farming until 1865. 

He then moved to the Cooper ranch located 
near Castroville, where he has since farmed 
successfully. His principal crops being 
wheat and potatoes. He owns 340 acres of 
fine land adjoining the town of Castroville, 
on the Moss landing; road. 



Mr. Moore was married in Watsonville, 
in December, 1869, to Miss Katie Leonard, a 
native of Montreal, Canada. They have 
three children, two sons and a dauj^hter. 
Mr. Moore is well known throughout Mon- 
terey county as a man of honest dealing and 
safe business methods. 

In domestic life lie is a kind husband, in- 
dulgent father and a true friend. No mem- 
bers of the community in which they live 
are more highly respected than Mr. and Mrs. 
Moore. 

^ LEE DAVIS, of Salinas, California, 
IBV was born in Canada, January 18, 1843. 
-^A ® A brief review of his life and ancestry 
is as follows: 

His parents, Thaddeus and Nancy A. 
(Hagar) Davis, were natives of Canada, the 
former born July 27, 1811, and the latter in 
1820. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. 
Davis were Jonathan Hagar, born August 4, 
1765, and Azulah (Hopkins) Hagar, born in 
New Jersey, in 1770. Her marriage with 
Thaddeus Davis occurred October 20, 1836. 
Their happy union resulted in the birth of 
four sons and two daughters, of whom two 
sons and one daughter are now living. Thad- 
deus Davis comes of a long-lived and sturdy 
race, some of his ancestors having attained 
the advanced age of 107 years. 

In 1850 the father of our subject left Can- 
ada and came to California, being followed 
three years later by his wife and children, who 
made the voyage to this State on the steamer 
Uncle Sam on the Atlantic and the Cortez on 
tlie Pacific side, landing in San Francisco. 
Cholera and yellow fever broke out on the 
vessel after they left Panama, and sixty of 
the passengers were attacked with it, many 
dying. In the year 1859 Mr. Davis returned 



AND 8AN MATEO COUNTIES. 



to Canada, but came back to California the 
following year. 

Mr. Davis and his sons have been engaged 
in farming, merchandising and stock-raising. 
They own about 1,300 acres, of which about 
500 acres are sediment — rich and valuable 
land. It is said, and on good authority, that 
180 bushels of wheat to the acre have been 
raised on the land, now owned by the Messrs. 
Davis. The floods of 1861 washed away half 
the house in which the Davis family lived. 
This was situated at Hill Town, three miles 
from Salinas, on the Salinas river. The other 
half of the house was moved to higher land, 
where it now stands. The channel of the 
river was narrow then, and the great volume 
of water was forced over its banks and spread 
over the entire plains to the depth of from 
two to four feet. The large sycamore, cotton- 
w'ood and live oak trees that bordered its 
banks have long since been washed away, and 
much valuable soil has also been carried 
away by the current. 

H. Lee Davis was married, November 10, 
1887, to Florence Titus, and their union has 
been blessed with three children. 

fOHN SAMUEL YOACHAM, one of 
the venerable pioneers of California, was 
born near Kansas City, in what was then 
Indian Territory in 1832. His parents were 
Daniel and Rosa (May) Yoacham, natives 
respectively of Kentucky and Tennessee, he 
being the fourth in a family 'of six children. 
His father was a contractor and builder, for 
the Indians, in the Government employ. 
Education in those days was received in log 
ecboclhouses, and each man had to pay for 
his own children. In this way Mr. Yoacham 
obtained his schooling. 



In 1848 he left for Mexico as a teamster, 
freighting from Santa Fe and back home in 
184-9; then back to Santa Fe, and thence to 
Old ]\[exico, and to El Paso, Texas; thence to 
Chihuahua, Durango and Mazatlan, packing. 
From the latter place he shipped to San 
Francisco, where he arrived June 15, 1850, 
on the bark Diana, a French vessel. After 
his arrival in California he mined about one 
year. The following three years he was en- 
gaged in farming at San Jose. Then he came 
to Santa Cruz county and settled in the Pajaro 
valley, farming, butchering, doing a livery 
business and keeping store, etc. At this 
writing he is still conducting a store. Polit- 
ically he is a Democrat, of uncompromising 
principles. He is an extensive reader, is well 
posted on the general topics of the day, and 
is in every respect an intelligent citizen. 
He has served three terms in the City Council 
and one term as its President. Socially he is 
an Odd Fellow, and is Past Grand of Pajaro 
Lodge; also a charter member of Watsonvillo 
Lodge of A. O. U. W. 

Mr. Yoacham was married, in 1854, to 
Miss Mary J. Hooker, a native of Virginia 
and a daughter of Major Hooker. Their 
children are as follows: Susie, Llewella, wife 
of A. W. White; Robert Lee and Daniel H. 



fllOMAS CLAY EDWARDS, M. D., 
so widely and favorably known tlirough- 
^v^ out Monterey county, California, was 
born in Columbia, Missouri, August 24, 1860. 
His early intellectual training was received 
in the public schools of his native place. 
When in his fifteenth year he accompanied 
his mother and sister to California, his father 
having died when the Doctor was a mere 
child. Woodland in Yolo county was the 



MONTEREY, bAN BENITO, SANTA VBUZ, 



place selected for their abode. Here young 
Edwards invested his immature muscle in 
the harvest fields during the summer and 
fed his mental cravings in the schools of his 
neighborhood in the winter, till he graduated 
at Hesperian College, Yolo county, receiv- 
ing the degree of A. B., he entered Cooper 
College, San Francisco, to prepare himself 
for the practice of medicine. Here he fol- 
lowed a course of study for one year, after 
which he returned East, entered the St. Louis 
Medical College, St. Louis, Missouri, where 
he took three courses, and received his di- 
ploma in Marchj 1883. Two months after 
he returned to this State he located in Sa- 
linas, where he has since been engaged in the 
practice of his profession. 

Dr. Edwards was united in marriage to 
Miss Grace McCandless, of Salinas, by whom 
he has four children. 

J^IRAM ROTH, deceased, was well known 

tin his day, as a miner and a cook in 
mining camps, later as a prosperous 
business man in Monterey, where he owned 
and operated a meat market on Alvarado 
street. In early life he engaged in a sea- 
faring life, and the date of his coming to 
California is not known for a certainty, but it 
is thought it was in the early '50s. He was 
an active and reliable business man. Mr. 
Roth was a native of Germany, and combined 
the native smartness of the people of that 
country with the business tact of his adopted 
land. 

Mr. John Roth, his brother, was a native 
of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and died at 
Castroville, December 12, 1879, leaving a 
widow, Mrs. Mary Roth, a native of county 
Tipperary, Ireland. Mrs. Roth is an astute 



business woman, and manages the comfort- 
able estate left her by her husband in a very 
capable manner. She is the owner of a very 
pretty home, and enjoys the respect and 
esteem of all who know her. 

fAMES I. HODGES, a well-known and 
much respected pioneer of San Benito 
county, California, dates his birth in 
Wilson county, Tennessee, September 30, 
1830. 

At an early age young Hodges left home 
and started out in life for himself. In 1846 
he enlisted in the army for the war with 
Mexico, but was rejected on account of his 
age. He then went to Arkansas and worked 
for a man by the name of Wood, with whom 
he remained until May, 1849. During that 
time he was employed on a pony express 
route from Rockwood to Morrow, Louisiana, 
a distance of 150 miles. It was the inten- 
tion of Mr. Hodges to make the journey to 
California via water that spring, but circum- 
stances prevented him from doing so. Still, 
however, determined to come to this coast, in 
the spring of 1852 he left Clarksville, Ar- 
kansas, with Captain Jamison's company, 
April 14 being the day on which they started. 
Their company consisted of about 380 per- 
sons; they crossed the plains with ox teams, 
and their experiences were similar to those of 
many other emigrants. When they reached 
the North Platte, Mr. Hodges was taken with 
the mountain fever, and was sick some two 
weeks. A few days after he had sufficiently 
recovered to take charge of his team, he had 
a run-away and was thrown into a creek. 
Getting wet caused him to take a relapse, 
which came near proving fatal. September 
18, 1852, was the date of their arrival in 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES, 



313 



Stockton, CaliCornia. Mr. Hodges turned his 
team ont, took his pack and left for Sonora, 
Tuolumne county, where he engaged in 
chopping down timber for building purposes. 
He remained at this place one month, re- 
ceiving $4 a day and board, after which he 
returned to Stockton. He then began haul- 
ing goods from Stockton to the mines, and 
the last load he took stuck fast in the 
mud. He sold flour at $1 per pound. In 
1853 he and live others took up a claim. 
After they had opened it and were about to 
begin work, a man came along and wanted to 
buy out Mr. Hodges, and he sold his interest 
for $500. He was next engaged in hauling 
lumber from the mines to Stockton for three 
months. After that he went back to the 
mines and was engaged in mining until 1865, 
when he sold out for tlie sum of $70,000. 
Iteturning again to Stockton, he remained 
there till 1866, thence to Santa Rosa, and 
from there, in 1867, to Watsonville. In the 
fall of 1868 he went to Soquel, and the fol- 
lowing fall located in Hollister, then Monte- 
rey county, now San Benito county. 

November 28, 1860, Mr. Hodges was 
united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Shir- 
ley, by whom he has had seven children, five 
sons and two daughters. One daughter is 
deceased. 



I^ON. THOMAS FLINT.— That portion 
^mi of California particularly embraced 
^^ within the territorial limits of this vol- 
ume, is peculiarly prolific ground, from the 
point of view of the historian. Much of its 
history, however, centers about a compara- 
tively few men, whose names must ever re- 
main in the foreground in the aimals of the 
Golden State, but who, for the most part, 
have gone to join the silent majority. Some 



remain, however, as active participants and 
leaders in present affairs, as they have been 
since the early days. 

Dr. Flint, San Benito county claims as a 
citizen of one of these, and one who has been 
a prominent figure for- upward of forty years. 
A brief outline sketch of his career, giving 
some of the earlist features, becomes there- 
fore a valuable, and indeed essential, contri- 
bution to this work. 

He is a native of Maine, born at NeV Vine- 
yard, then in Somerset, but now m Franklin 
county, on May 13, 1824, his parents being 
William Reed and Electa (Weston) Flint. 
Both tlie Flint and Weston families were 
among the early settlers of New England, 
and are creditably associated with the impor- 
tant epochs in its history. On the father's side, 
the founder of the family in this country, ac- 
cording to the authentic published volumes 
of New England genealogy, was Thomas 
Flint, who came from Wales. The first men- 
tion of his name in the town records of Salem, 
Massachusetts, is in 1650, but this is known 
to be a considerably later date than that of 
his arrival. He was among the first settlers 
of Salem village (now South Danvers), and 
the spot in the wilderness which he selected 
for his later home is situated on the Salem 
and North Reading road, about six miles 
from the present courthouse in Salem. The 
first deed to him on record describes a tract 
" containing 150 acres of meadow and past- 
ure land, and lying within the bounds of 
Salem," bought on September 18, 1654, of 
John Pickering. His son. Captain Thomas 
Flint, was an oflSeer in King Philip's war, 
and was in Gardner's expedition against the 
Narragansetts in 1675. Dr. Thomas Flint, 
great-grandfather of our subject, was fifth in 
descent from the original Massachusetts set- 
tler; and he was a physician by profession, 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



and served ass a surgeon in the Revolutionary 
war. His son, Dr. Thomas Flint, was born 
in North Reading, and located in Sandy 
river valley, in 1787; he was a prominent set- 
tler and is recorded as the first merchant in 
Farniington. As a physician and surgeon 
he had an extensive practice in the sparsely 
settled community. His third child, William 
Reed Flint, was the father of the subject of 
this sketch; he was a laud surveyor, and fol- 
lowed his profession for years in the lumber 
regions of Maine; he was County Commis- 
sioner, and in this capacity took an active 
part in the building of permanent roads; he 
ligured prominently in public life in his day, 
and was three times elected a member of the 
Senate of the State of Maine; he was born 
October 25, 1796, and on July 9, 1823, was 
married; March, 1831, he removed with his 
family frow New Vineyard to Anson, Maine; 
where his death occurred, August 5, 1887. His 
wife. Electa Weston, also came of one of the 
prominent old New England families; the 
founder of the family in this country was 
John Weston, who was born in Buckingham- 
shire, England, in 1631, and came to America 
at the age of thirteen years, having landed at 
Salem, Massachusetts, in 1644. He resided 
in Salem until twenty-one years of age, then 
became a resident of Lynn village, in South 
Reading, now Wakefield, Massachussetts, 
where he purchased an extensive tract of 
land, on a part of which his descend'ants are 
living to-day; the line of descent is traced 
through several generations do Joseph Wes- 
ton, who settled in Concord, Massachusetts, 
and later removed to Canaan (afterward 
Bloonifield, and now Skowhegan), Maine. In 
the winter and spring of 1771-'72, he re- 
moved with his family to a grant of land, 
which he had helped to purchase from the 
Kennebec Company, and his wife was the 



first wliite woman to settle in Somerset, 
county, where they lived for several years 
almost entirely isolated from the outside 
world. He died of fever contracted by fa- 
tigue and exposure assisting Geneial Bene- 
dict Arnold's expedition past Skowhegan 
and Norridgwock Falls on its way to Quebec 
in October, 1775. Among their nine chil- 
dren was one who later became prominent 
as Deacon Benjamin Weston, who married 
in March, 1788, Annie Powers, a grand- 
daughter of Peter Powers, the first settler in 
Hollis, New Hampshire; their daughter. 
Electa, who was born in 1802, became the 
wife of Hon. William R. Flint, and was the 
mother of the subject of this notice. She 
died April 10, 1885. Ten children were 
born to William Reed and Electa (Weston) 
Flint, of whom three became residents of 
California; Benjamin, who came ii» 1849, 
and until his death was a prominent citizen 
of this State; B. P. Flint, the youngest of the 
family, who is a business man of San Fran- 
cisco; and Thomas, the subject of this sketch; 
George, the eighth child, who resides on the 
old family homestead at Anson, Maine, has 
also been a public man and a member of the 
Senate of Maine. 

Dr. Thomas Flint, with whose name this 
sketch commences, received his literary edu- 
cation in the high schools and academies of A i- 
son, Skowhegan and North 1 armouth, Maine. 
At the age of twenty-one, he began the study 
of medicine with Dr. V. P. Coolidge, at 
Waterville, and later attended the Jefferson 
Medical College, Philadelphia, where he was 
graduated in 1849. While in attendance at 
the Jeflterson Medical College, his thoughts 
were seriously turned toward California, but 
circumstances intervened to delay his de- 
parture until a later time. Leaving college, 
he returned to Anson, Maine, where he re- 



AJS'D SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



niained until 1S51. His brother Benjamin 
had gone to California in the early days of 
the gold excitement, and the consummation 
of the Doctor's intention to do so had only 
been deferred by the fact that parties who 
were to accompany him on the journey had 
been delayed. IVLeantime, lie practiced medi- 
cine causally, but in May, 1851, he went to 
New York to begin the sea voyage to Cali- 
fornia. He secured passage on the steamer 
" Crescent City," which left New York har- 
bor on May 28, arriving at Chagres on June 

6. On the following day an incident occur- 
red, which seriously threatened to mar the 
pleasure of the journey. Captain Jewett 
of the Chagres river steamboat, in violation 
of the terms of the contract, attempted to 
transfer the passengers to small boats with 
native boatmen, to' continue the trip to 
Gorgona. The passengers rebelled, and soon 
a collision was imminent, weapons being 
drawn on botli sides. The interference of 
General Hitchcock of the United States Army, 
however, was the means of bringing about an 
understanding, and as a result the Captain 
took them to Gorgona by steamer. Small boats 
manned by naked natives with long poles, 
conveyed them to Crnces, and from there 
they proceeded on foot, sending their bag- 
gage on by express. Two days, the 8th and 
9th of June, were consumed in the foot jour- 
ney to Panama, at which port they remained 
until the 15th, when they boarded the 
steamer " Northerner, '' on which the jour- 
ney was to be completed. She sailed on 
June 16, and reached San Francisco on July 

7, forty days from the date of leaving New 
York. The same evening, Dr. Flint left for 
Sacramento by river steamer, and thence pro- 
ceeded to Volcano (now Amador county), 
where he mined a little. On August 8, he 
started for Coloma, where he remained until 



January 9, 1852, engaged in mining to some 
extent and in the cattle and beef business. 
He returned from Coloma to Volcano, and 
there soon found himself incidentally attend- 
ing to quite an extensive medical practice. The 
residents of Volcano at that time will recall 
the 3d of November, when Rod Stowell shot 
and stabbed Frank Kerns nearly to death at 
Fort John, near that place. " Old Rod " as 
he was called had established his reputation 
as a " tough customer" from his having shot 
and killed an Indian, and having pinned a 
gambling companion to the floor with his 
bowie knife sticking through his head. It 
was expected that Frank's wounds would soon 
prove fatal, so a vigilance committee was or- 
ganized which had " Old Rod " arrested and 
held under guard for a lynch trial. Frank 
recovered, which circumstance kept "• Old 
Rod's " neck from being stretched, and 
brought Dr. Flint fame as a skillful surgeon 

On Christmas day, 1852, he started on his 
return to the East, making the journey via 
Panama, and visited his old friends and rela- 
tives in the State of Maine. In the spring 
of 1853, he started again for California, this 
•time overland, as had been his intention on 
coining East. He went to Terre Haute, In- 
diana, the most westerly point which could 
then be reached by rail, and there was 
formed the firm of Flint, Bixby & Company, 
which afterward became so widely known 
through its extensive operations in California, 
composed of Dr. Thomas Flint, his brother 
Benjamin, and Llewellyn Bixby, his cousin. 

At Quincy, Illinois, they purchased sheep, 
and then started in earnest on their westward 
journey, crossing the Mississippi river at 
Keokuk, with 2,400 head of sheep, a team of 
tiftecn yoke of oxen, some saddle horses and 
other stock. From Keokuk, those in charge 
of the stock proceeded across the State of 



316 



MONTEREY, SAJ^ BENIIO. SANTA CRUZ 



Iowa to Council Bluffs, where they crossed 
the Missouri river on the ferry. Dr. Flint, 
however, went to St. Louis, purchased the 
remainder of the outfit, and took it by steamer 
to Council Bluffs, where the expedition was 
met. From the Missouri, they proceeded up 
the North Platte, by the old trail, and through 
the South Pass and Echo Canon to Salt Lake. 
Considerable trouble was had with Indians, 
and on the Platte river they lost one man, 
killed by the savages. While encamped one 
night, some Indians crept in at midnight, cut 
the horses loose and when a man was aroused 
by the noise, he was shot by the Indians, 
who then fled. At Salt Lake, 100 head of 
cattle were purchased and added to the outfit. 
They arrived at the Mormon capital too late, 
however, to take the northern route across 
the mountains, and they consequently turned 
to the southward, taking what was known as 
Fremont's trail. At Provo, Utah, they fell 
in with Colonel Hollister, with whom were 
Messrs. Woodworth and William Perry, who 
afterward made their mark in California, and 
the two trains traveled more or less in com- 
pany from Mountain Meadows, at which point 
they overtook Colonel Hoilister's company. 

They moved along leisurely, remaining 
some time at places where they found favorite 
camping grounds, and arrived at the Mission 
San Gabriel January 7, 1854, having passed 
the winter quite comfortably on the road. 
They remained in the vicinity of the mission 
until March, and then started northward 
along the coast and stopped at what is now 
Coyote Station, in the Santa Clara valley. In 
July, 1855, they came down to the San Juan 
valk^y, and in October following purchased 
the San Justo ranch of Francisco Perez Pa- 
checo, who boasted of being an Aztec Indian, 
and also made the same claim for his wife, 
although she may have been part Spanish. 



Pacheco had purchased the land from Gen- 
eral Jose Castro, to whom it had been granted 
by the Mexican Government. From this 
point, the firm of Flint, Bixby & Co. carried 
on their extensive operations, which made 
them a power in the State. No change has 
ever been made in its membership since its 
organization at Terre Haute, except by the 
death of Benjamin Flint, October 3, 1881, 
and since that time, the remaining partners 
have carried on the business. They were at 
first engaged principally in sheep-raising, but 
from time to time other interests were added. 
In 1858, the firm disposed of half the San 
Justo ranch to Mrs. Lucy A. Brown, sister 
of Colonel Hollister, from whom the property 
passed to Colonel Hollister, the deed of par- 
tition being made in 1861, and the land for- 
mally divided at that time. Dr. Flint making 
the choice of the portion of the ranch re- 
tained by his firm, this portion consisting of 
14,000 acres. This land is varied as to its 
topography and productive character, but is 
all valuable. Its capabilities in some direc- 
tions, and the progress made therein, are 
mentioned elsewhere. 

In 1858, the firm of Flint, Bixby & Com- 
pany, engaged in the business of staging, and 
became the owners of the line between San 
Jose and Los Angeles. Later, this liue was 
extended to San Diego, and for four years 
they transacted the passenger and express- 
carrying business, and carried the United 
States mail between those remote points, the 
enterprise being one of vast magnitude. 
Seven hundred head of horses were required 
as stock for carrying on this business, and 
three days were consumed in the trip between 
the terminal points. Stations were estab- 
lished tliroughout the entire line, at intervals 
of about twelve miles, and a schedule of six 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



miles an hour was maintained throughout, 
including stops. 

The iirm conducted this line for twelve 
years; but when the extension of the railroad 
from the north began, the length of the line 
was gradually lessened. Their Buperintend- 
dent was William Buckley, and, in connection 
with him, they ran the Panainint stage line 
for two years, the run being at first from 
Caliente to Panainint, and later from Mojave 
to Panamint. They sold out their interests 
to William Hamilton. 

In 1872, Flint, Bixby & Co. embarked in 
the beet sugar manufacturing business, as 
stockholders in the California Beet Sugar 
Company, being among the pioneers in this 
line on the Pacific coast. They built a large 
factory at Alvarado, importing the special 
machinery from Germany, and established a 
plant, having a capacity of fifty tons of sugar 
per day. This plant was moved from Alvar- 
ado to Soquel Santa Cruz County. During 
their experience in this industry, they manu- 
factured large quantities of sugar, but the 
methods then in vogue were considerably 
more expensive than those of the present 
time; and when the market price of sugar fell 
below what it cost them to produce it, on ac- 
count of the admission duty free of Sandwich 
Island sugars, they withdrew from the busi- 
ness. 

During this time, they were also engaged 
in working the Cerro Bouito quicksilver mine 
in this county, which, though not now in 
operation, is still their property, as also the 
Monterey quicksilver mine. About the same 
time. Dr. Flint was interested in the wool- 
shipping and commission business, in the firms 
of Perkins, Flint & Co., and B. P. Flint & 
Co., of San Francisco. Flint, Bixby & Co. 
have all along been interested in mining, 
both in this State and in Nevada, and so 



continue at present. They also took part in 
the original organization of the Southern Pa- 
cific Railroad Company, and were the active 
workers in securing for the company the 
franchise and grant of land in San Francisco, 
and in the preliminary work generally, and 
were represented in the directorate of the 
road; Benjamin Flint, of their firm, was the 
first vice-president of the Southern Pacific 
Company. Dr. Flint is now largely inter- 
ested, by himself, through Flint, Bixby & 
Co., and through other partnerships, in land 
and stock, banking and other interests, and 
in their operations his firms have handled and 
owned vast tracts, part of which have since 
been disposed of. The firm of Irvine, Flint 
& Co., in which he was a partner, owned the 
San Joaquin ranch, and in that and the Lomas 
de Santiago and Santa Ana ranches, together, 
they had about 100,000 acres. At about the 
same time, Flint, Bixby & Co. owned the 
Huer-Huero ranch, in San Luis Obispo 
county, containing about 46,000 acres. As 
a member of the firm of J. Bixby & Co., he 
is an owner in 9,000 acres of the Ceritos 
ranch, 16,000 acres in the Palos Verdes 
ranch, and over 7,000 acres in the Alamitos 
ranch. Flint, Bixby & Co. also have other 
and smaller tracts in this and other counties 
and in the State of Washington, as well as 
real estate in San Francisco. Their stock 
interests are now principally in the line of 
cattle, of which they have something like 
7,000 head of Durham and Holstein and their 
crosses. They still retain some sheep inter- 
ests, though not nearly so extensively as for- 
merly. They were among the first on the 
coast to import Merino sheep from Yerraont 
and J^ew York, and were the first to pay such 
a price as $1,000 for a Merino ram, which 
price they paid to Hammond, of Vermont. 
It was considered at the time a foolish act on 



318 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



their part, but was a signally successful stroke 
of enterprise, and helped to gain them the 
fame they achieved in connection with the 
sheep interest. They have sent sheep from 
their flocks on orders from Panama, from the 
Sandwich Islands, from Nevada, and other 
remote points. All of their sheep are either 
full blood or high grades. 

Dr. Flint, besides his main business inter- 
ests, is connected in various ways with a mul- 
tiplicity of financial and other institutions. 
His interests in the old Los Angeles County 
Bank (now tlie Bank of America) are repre- 
sented in the directorate through Bixby, 
Llewellyn & Jothara; he is a director in the 
Grangers' Business Association, of San Fran- 
cisco; a director since organization in the 
Bank of Hollister; and in its allied savings 
bank department; president and director of 
the Grangers' Union, at Hollister, director of 
the Somerset railroad, in Maine. He has also 
served as director in sevei-al mining companies 
with which he has been identified. Frater- 
nally, he is one of the most prominent Masons 
in the State of California. He is Past Master 
of Texas Lodge, No. 46, F. & A. M., San 
Juan; is High Priest and Past High Priest of 
Hollister Chapter, No. 68, K. A. M.; Past 
Commander of Watsonville Commandery, 
No. 22, Knights Templar; member of Islam 
Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, San 
Francisco; member of San Francisco Council, 
No. 2, R. & S. M.; member of the High 
Priesthood; and is Grand Captain of the 
Host of the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch 
Masons; in the order of the Eastern Star, he 
is Past Grand Patron. He also belongs to 
Hollister Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. In 
political life, Dr. Flint has been prominently 
identified with the Republican party since its 
organization in the State, and has taken an 
active part in the councils of the party. He 



served old Monterey county as a member of 
the Board of Supervisors, and San Benito 
county in the same capacity after the division. 
In 1876. he was elected to the State Senate, 
and in that body represented for four years 
the counties of Monterey, San Benito and 
Santa Cruz. He is now a member of the 
State Central Committee of the Republican 
party, and has previously served a number of 
years thereon, and has been chairman of the 
Central Committee of this Congressional Dis- 
trict. As a delegate from the State of Cali- 
fornia to the National Republican Convention 
he helped to nominate Blaine at Chicago, in 
1884. 

Dr. Flint was married at Woodstock, Ver- 
mont, on May 20, 1857, to Miss Mary A. 
Mitchell, a native ot Woodstock, and daugh- 
ter of Joshua and Mehitable (Gilmore) Mitch- 
ell, both parents being of old families of New 
England. The Mitchells were largely a sea- 
faring family, and her grandfather, a ship's 
captain, was lost at sea. The Gilmores are 
an old New Hampshire family, which furn- 
ished a number of members who took an ac- 
tive part in important periods of the Nation's 
history. A brief extract from the family 
genealogy is appropriate in this connection: 
Joshua Mitchell and Mehitable Gilmore were 
married April 30, 1818; she was the daughter 
of Thomas Gilmore and Tabitha Wilkins, 
granddaughter of Captain Daniel Wilkins, 
and great-granddaughter of Rev. Daniel Wil- 
kins, the first minister of Amherst, New 
Hampshire, who was baptized May 18, 1710, 
and died February 11, 1784. Thomas Gil- 
more died in the service of his country at 
Burlington, Vermont, in 1814. Mehitabla 
Gilmore was a cousin of Gen. John A. Dix. 
Captain Daniel Wilkins married Tabitha 
Weston; he died in December, 1819; he was 
First Lieutenant in Captain Crosby's com- 



■Sllf^h. 





-yC 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



319 



pany on Bunker Hill, and Captain of a com- 
pany composed largely of Amherst (New 
Hampshire) men, in Col. Bedel's regiment, 
which was surrendered to the British and In- 
dians at the " Cedars," in May, 1776; he died 
of disease shortly after his exchange. Tabitha 
Weston was of the third generation from John 
Weston (mentioned in the Weston genealogy); 
she was born in 1631, and married April 18, 
1653. The records of Salem witchcraft con- 
tain the following: "Daniel Wilkins be- 
witched to death May 16, 1692, at the age of 
seventeen." He was probably the uncle of 
Rev. Daniel Wilkins. 

Mrs. Flint is a woman of superior intellec- 
tual qualities. She is recognized as one of 
the highest authorities in this country of the 
Order of the Eastern Star, in which she has 
attained the greatest prominence. She is Fast 
Grand Matron of the order for the State, and 
served two years in that executive office, an 
unusual occurence, and is the only one on 
whom that honor has been conferred. She is 
now Past Most Worthy Grand Matron of the 
Order of the Eastern Star for the United 
States, having reached the highest attainable 
position in her great work for its welfare. 

Mr. and Mrs. Flint have three children 
living, viz: Thomas, Jr., a sketch of whom 
appears in this volume; Sarah, wife of George 
Otis Mitchell; and Richard H., who, at this 
writing, is attending the School of Technology, 
Boston. 

In concluding this sketch of Dr. Flint, a 
brief mention of his personality is necessary. 
Though his life has been from boyhood an 
active one, and though his interests have 
been so vast and so far reaching for so many 
years, requiring an almost inestimable amount 
of thought and attention, he is in manner one 
of the most quiet and unassuming of men, a 
quality, however, generally to be found in 



connection with real strength and stability of 
character. In all respects. Dr. Flint stands 
to-day, as he has for many years, one of the 
foremost citizens of California. 

fMcCONNELL SHEARER is a man 
of versatile talents, having devoted 
® the greater portion of his time to 
school teaching, dabbled in literature, and is 
now following the more prosaic, and probably 
more profitable, pursuit of real-estate and 
grain brokerage. He is a native of Leesville, 
Carroll county, Ohio, where he was born De- 
cember 26, 1836. 

In 1847, after having atttended the public 
schools, he was sent to New Hagerstown 
Academy until about 1855, when he taught 
his first school in Goshen, Tuscarawas county, 
Ohio, and subsequently taught at Lockport, 
Tabor, Ohio and Pleasant Lake, Indiana. In 
September, 1860, he came to California and 
engaged in teaching in the Springfield district, 
also at San Juan, Monterey, Gilroy, Mayfield 
and Salinas. He was elected School Su- 
perintendent of Monterey county, in 1871 
and again in 1879. Mr. Shearer has also filled 
the positions of School Trustee and Superin- 
tendent of Schools of Salinas. He was 
Deputy Tax Collector of Monterey county, in 
1874. In 1875 he was editor for the Salinas 
city Index and for several years correspond- 
ent to the San Jose Mercury, and also 
served in the same capacity for many years 
for the San Francisco Bulletin and other 
journals of note. Almost continuously since 
1873 he has followed the business of grain 
broker and is very successful. 

July 1, 1862, Mr. Shearer married Miss 
Climena Catnmilla French, of Milpitas, Cali- 
fornia. She was a lady of rare intellectual 



320 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CHXJZ, 



attainments and a native of St. Joseph county, 
Michigan. Her death occurred December 18, 
1874, at the age of forty years. Of her 
three children, two are now living, namely: 
Edward French and Grace V. Mr. Shearer 
again married, December 31, 1876, Miss Mar- 
tha Young, a daughter of William Young, of 
Hancock county. West Virginia, of which 
State Mrs. Shearer is also a native. She is a 
lady who combines domestic qualities with 
mental attainments. Before marriage she 
was one of Monterey county's most success- 
ful teachers. She possesses great executive 
ability. Three children were born to this 
union, two of whom are still living, namely; 
Laura L. and W. S. McConnell. 

Mr. Shearer is a man of great energy and 
quick perceptions. He is social in his na- 
ture, tempei-ate in his habits and is esteemed 
throughout the Salinas valley and Monterey 
county for his many excellent qualities of 
head and heart. The family resides in the 
city of Salinas, in an attractive home, beauti- 
fully located in the central part of the resi- 
dence portion of the city. In addition to 
this home, Mr. Shearer is the owner of some 
valuable property in Pacihc Grove. 

fOJM ESTEVAN de la TORRE, one of 
the respected citizens of San Miguel 
Canon, Monterey county, was born 
June 29, 1818, in the city of Monterey. His 
father, Joaquin de la Torre, was a native of 
Castile, Spain. Through his marriage to 
Dona Ascencion Espinosa, the only daughter 
of Don Salvador and Dona Lugarda (Castro) 
Espinosa, he came into possession of 1,300 
acres of the famous Espinosa rancho. This 
1,300-acre tract has been subdivided and dis- 
posed of, with the exception of 869 acres, 



which he still occupies as a home. It is de- 
lightfully located about four miles and a 
half east of Salinas, on the Watsonville 
pike. 

Don de la Torre has five surviving children, 
whose names are as follows: Juliana, now 
Mrs. Pablo Hartnell; Mannela, now Mrs. F. 
R. Rico, of Monterey; Ysabel, now Mrs. li. 
J. Castro, of Gonzales; Julio T. de la Torre; 
and Lucia, now Mrs. C. M. Fisher, of San 
Mateo county. 

Julio de la Torre was born in Monterey, 
December 21, 1860. He married, February 
8, 1883, Miss Annie Hartnell, daughter of 
John E. Hartnell, and they have three chil- 



dren. 



-^^>^^^^^y^k^ 



fAMES MADISON JONES was born in 
Anderson county, Tennessee, May 27, 
1840. He remained at home with his 
parents until he reached his majority, and at 
that time, the war of the Rebellion breaking 
out, he tendered his services to the Con- 
federate Government. He served under 
Generals Bragg, Hood and J. E. Johnston, 
and in the cavalry divisions of Generals 
Ashley, Wheeler and Morgan, being in the 
Department of the Cumberland for four years. 
He was engaged in every battle and skirmish 
whicli took place in his department, but was 
never wounded; and, although he fought for 
a cause that was lost, it was one that he be- 
lieved to be right, and one in whicii, by his 
bravery, he won distinction. 

Mr. Jones left his native home in the fall of 
1867 and came direct to California. Landing 
in San Francisco, he remained in that city a 
short time, and then went to San Jose, soon 
after going to Santa Barbara. A few months 
later he came to Hollister and engaged in 
farming, which he continued for a number of 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



years, also dealing in hay. At present date 
he has for sale 8,000 tons. He subsequently 
gave up fanning, and has since devoted his 
energies exclusively to the hay business. He 
has two of the largest warehouses in the 
county, and his business is one of the most 
extensive of its kind on the coast. He is one 
of the pioneers of San Benito county and has 
been one of the important factors in develop- 
ing its interests. In politics he is Democratic, 
and is always found identified with the best 
elements of his party. 

Mr. Jones was married in Hardin Valley, 
East Tennessee, in 1873, to Miss Martha 
Steele, by whom he had three children, one 
son and twin daughters, one of the daughters 
dying in infancy. Mrs. Jones died in 1877. 
In 1880, Mr. Jones married for his second 
wife Miss M. E. AVliite, by whom he has a son 
and two daughters. 

fUSTAV BROWN was born in Bavaria, 
Germany, February 17, 1836. He left 
his native home in 1843 and came to the 
Cnited States, landing on American soil at 
Baltimore. He went to school until he was 
thirteen years old, when he hired out to learn 
the trade of a shoemaker. At that trade he 
worked three years and six months. In June, 
1852, he enlisted in the light artillery at Fort 
McHenry, but was discharged on account of 
his age. Then he went back to work at his 
trade and continued at it until January, 1858, 
at which time he set out for Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania, where he enlisted in the First 
Drao-oons, Company K. They were sent out 
on the frontiers, and he continued in the ser- 
vice eight years, all this time being spent in 
California, New Mexico and Arizona. He 
was discharged on account of disability, hav- 



ing been shot and wounded by an Indian on 
the Mojave desert in 1862. 

After being discharged, Mr. Brown went 
to San Francisco, thence to Sacramento, and 
from there to Los Angeles. At the latter 
place he was employed by Governor Downey 
to superintend his large ranch, remaining there 
one year. Next we find him at Santa Clara 
county, where he acted as Deputy Sheriff of 
the county one year, and private officer for 
the Almadeii Mining Company under Super- 
intendent Arnot. After that he took up his 
abode in the Santa Cruz hills and engaged 
in the fruit business. That was in 1865, and 
he remained there until 1883, when he sold 
out and came to Hollister, San Benito county. 
Since locating here he has given his atten- 
tion to ranching, and in this occupation has 
met with the usual success which has crowned 
the efforts of his thrifty countrymen. He 
has, indeed, one of the tinest homes in the 
neighborhood, and is surrounded with all of 
the comforts and many of the luxuries af- 
forded in this sunny clime. 

Mr. Brown was married August 23, 1864, 
to Miss Lydia Morse, by whom he has eight 
children, three sons and five daughters, 
namely: James F., Charles E., Robert A., 
Annie M., Matilda J., Mary Alice, Cora and 
Minnie. One of the daughters is the wife of 
Mr. John Griffith, and has one son. A fact 
remarkable and worthy of note is, that in 
raising this large family Mr. Brown has 
never expended $25 for a doctor's bill, all 
having enjoyed the best of health. 



,BEL SOBERANES was born in Mon- 
f/&K terey city, California, June 2, 1859, 
W' and remained in his native city until 
he was ten years of age. At that time lie 



MONTE BET, SAN BENITO, SANTA CBVZ, 



moved to the old Soledad ranch, formerly be- 
longing to the mission, and which became the 
property of his father, Francisco Soberanes. 
His education was obtained in the schools of 
Monterey county. 

Mr. Soberanes is one of the prominent 
ranchers of Monterey county. He has 4,612 
acres of choice land, forty of which are de- 
voted to fruit, iiis other products being grain 
and stock. His place can boast of some of 
the oldest fruit trees in this section of the 
country, they having been brought from the 
gardens of the Soledad mission some thirty- 
five years ago. 



^^LLEN FORSTER was born in Detroit, 
Iffils Michigan, December 25, 1835. When 
^=5|«- lie was an infant he had the misfortune 
to lose his father. His mother lived to an 
advanced age, dying when she was seventy- 
six. For eight years she had the entire care 
of her young family, and a most heroic 
woman did she prove herself, for to rear a 
family in a new country was no small under- 
taking. 

Mr. Forster was married, November 22, 
1860, to Miss Matilda J. Nance, near Chico, 
Butte county, California. Mrs. Forster was 
born in New Albany, Indiana, May 17, 1842, 
and departed this life December 17, 1889. 
Her ancestors were a long-lived and sturdy 
race, distinguished for their high moral 
worth. Her father lived to be eighty-five 
years old. Mr. and Mrs. Forster became the 
parents of four daughters and two sons, all of 
whom are living: Anna Belle, born August 
25, 1861, in Butte county, California, is now 
the wife of Francis A. Abbott, son of Hon. 
C. S. Abbott, and has two children — Charles 
Eldon and Chester Forster, the former a 



native of Arizona and the latter of Salinas, 
California; Charles, the eldest son, was born 
in Butte county, California, May 13, 1863; 
Uattie Mary, at the same place, J une 8, 1867; 
Grace Geneva, April 9, 1870; Benjamin 
Franklin, March 21, 1874; and Jessie AUene, 
April 25, 1872; the last three being natives 
of Salinas. 

Mr. Forster came to California in 1858. 
He lived for ten years in Butte county, and 
from there moved to Monterey county, where 
he has since resided. He has been and is 
now engaged in farming and stock-raising, 
making a specialty of the latter, raising line 
horses and cattle. In these operations he has 
met with eminent success. He also owns a 
large body of land in San Luis Obispo 
county. In public affairs, especially educa- 
tional matters, he has been interested, having 
held the office of School Trustee for more than 
twenty years. He and his wife were both 
noted for their genial hospitality. 

Such is a brief sketch of one of the worthy 
and highly respected citizens of Monterey 
county. 

fL. MEEK is a pioneer of California. 
He came to the State in 1850, and 
^, * mined from that date until 1859. 
He then joined the United States Army, 
and during the war of the Rebellion did pro- 
vost duty in Calfornia until 1865. At the 
expiration of that time he engaged in mer- 
chandising at Antioch, Contra Costa county, 
and later farmed in Colusa county. He 
came to Monterey county in 1874, and en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits on the Salinas 
river bottoms and in San Miguel canon. In 
1887 he turned his attention to the hotel 
business at Santa Rita, where he still remains. 
He is widely known as a man of strict integ- 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



rity and of genial manner, and during his 
long residence on this coast has made many 
friends. 

He was married, March 6, 1866, to Miss 
Lottie Leech, of lone, Amador county, Cali- 
fornia. She is a native of Canada and came 
to this State with her parents when she was 
quite young. They have a son and daughter, 
Thomas and Etta. The latter is now Mrs. 
Dr. Long, of King City. 

fTEPHEN F. WATSON was born in 
Scott county, Virginia, March 22, 1834. 
Ilis father, Jacob Watson, was one oi 
two sons (the second being Henry) who came 
to California, across the plains with ox teams, 
in 1849, their route being via Chimney Rock 
and Independence Rock and the Carson river 
through Nevada. Jacob Weston and his 
wife, nee Phoebe Baldwin, were of Virginia 
birth. Of their fifteen children four were 
born in California. Arrived in this State, he 
first located near Sacramento, but soon moved 
to Mormon island. He pursued mining 
operations until about 1851, and came to 
Monterey county — -now San Benito — in 1854, 
locating near Hollister and engaging in stock- 
raising. He died in 1871. His wife is still 
living. 

The subject of this sketch was therefore 
reared as a miner and stock- i-aiser. In 1866 
he located at Tres Pinos in San Benito county, 
where he has since lived, engaged in farming. 
He is a successful business man and one of 
the leading men of this locality. At one 
time he owned about 1,000 acres of fine farm- 
ing lands, a portion of which he has sold. He 
still owns 500 acres, located one mile from 
Tres Pinos station. 

Mr. Watson was married in Watsonville, 



Santa Cruz county, in 1865, to Miss Bridget 
Conner. 

In connection with his family history, it 
should be further stated that Jacob, Charles 
and James Watson, his brothers, reside in the 
southeastern part of San Benito county. 
Other members of the family live in various 
parts of the northern portion of California. 

PENITO A. SOBERANES was born on 
the Laurelas ranch in Monterey county, 
California, March 21, 1853, son of Fran- 
cisco and Isabel (Baronda) Soberanes. In 
this county he was reared, receiving his 
education in the public schools of Monterey 
and Watsonville, and all his life has been 
devoted to farming and stock-raising. His 
present home, wiiere he has resided for the 
past ten years, is a part of the old Paraje del 
Sanchez rancho. 

May 25, 1881, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Ada Smith of Salinas, daughter of 
Don Miguel Smith, who has been a resident 
of Monterey county since 1849. He was 
married here in 1851, and is the father of a 
large family, most of his children being mar- 
ried and living in different parts of the State. 
Don Miguel Smith is well and favorably 
known from Los Angeles to San Francisco. 
Since leaving college he has spent the most 
of his life in literary and scientific pursuits. 
He has been a student simply because he 
loved knowledge. Of late years he lias given 
much of his time and energy to the study of 
law; and, though not an active practitioner, in 
legal knowledge he is considered a peer of 
the legal lights of California. Study seems 
to be a part of his nature, and we dare say 
he will die with a book in his hand! His 
wife is a daughter of the well-known W. E. 



334 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



P. Hartnell, deceased, and a granddaughter 
of the late Don Jose de la Guerra of Santa 
Barbara. 

Mr. Soberanes has two children. 



fHOMAS BRALEE, Esq., a venerable 
pioneer of Monterey, is a unique figure 
in its history, as will be seen from the 
following narration of facts: 

He was born in the city of Worcester, 
England, February 17, 1821, and in early 
life learned the trade of a bricklayer, but later 
on became a carpenter and builder. At one 
time he worked for a rope spinner and became 
proficient in that business. 

At the age of about twenty -one he adopted 
the hazardous life of a sailor and as such 
came to America,landiug at Quebec from what 
sailors term a lumber droger, that is, a ship, in 
the lumber trade; she was a brig of 350 tons, 
called the Harvey of North Shields, on the 
Newcastle river; his master's name was 
Captain Cunningham. There he left the brig 
and traveled through New York State and 
city and on to Baltimore in Maryland, getting 
only one job of work, which was to build a 
two-story brick house on a farm in the north 
part of the State of New York. He found it 
very hard to get employment at his business, 
as work was scarce, and he a stranger, and 
there were plenty of mechanics out of employ- 
ment. But he will always say this for the 
American people, that they treated him royally 
and God bless them for it! for he needed their 
help, having run away from his ship between 
two days, and of course just as he stood. His 
funds running out there was nothing left for 
him to do bat ship in the Navy, which he did 
at Baltimore, August 7,1843,and was sent with 
others on board the United States brig Fio. 



neer, then lying at Baltimore as a receiving 
ship for recruits; some time afterward he 
and about thirty others were sent on to New 
York and put on board the United States 
battle ship. North Carolina, a 120-gun ship 
lying in New York harbor as a guard 
ship. Some short time afterward, our sub- 
ject with others was drafted as the crew of 
the United States frigate Savannah, a sixty- 
four-gun ship just built and fitting out at the 
Brooklyn navy yard. (By the way, the hull 
now lies at Mare island navy yard.) Slie was 
condemned some three or four years ago as 
unseaworthy, and, as he says, "I guess that's 
about my fix!" He continues," Weli,God speed 
all travelers! for I expect to be on the road 
pretty soon, as I find it's getting toward the 
end of the cruise. Like King Solomon of old, 
'my glory has departed!" He left Brooklyn 
navy yard in November, 1843, in the frigate 
Savannah, under command of Post Captain 
Fitzue, who was a thorough seaman and the 
heart yarn of a mainstay. 

We were bound for the Pacific station as flag 
ship of the Pacific squadron, there to be com- 
manded by Commodore Dallas, who went to 
the Pacific coast overland to take the place 
of Commodore Clackson, who had died on 
that station; and after a while Commodore 
Dallas also died, and we buried him in Callao 
in Peru, who two years later was taken up 
and taken home, to be interred with his 
friends. 

Post Captain Armstrong, who was on this 
coast with the United States frigate, United 
States, then took command, of the squadron 
until the arrival of Commodore Sloat, who 
came on board the Savannah and relieved Post 
Captain Armstrong of his command, and 
raised his flag on board the frigate Savannah, 
which he commanded until the close of the 
Mexican war, or until the arrival on this 



AUD SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



coast of Commodore Shnbrick, in the Col- 
umbus line-of-battleship, of tlie East India 
station. Commodore Sliubrick, being the sen- 
ior ofKcer of Commodore Sloat, he relieved 
him and took command of the Pacific Squad- 
ron: Commodore Sloat then went home. 

Captain Mervin was captain of the Sa- 
vannah under Commodore Sloat and had 
command of the party that came on shore 
and hoisted the American flag, and took pos- 
session of this country, in the name of the 
United States of America, and our subject 
is one of the party that first hoisted the 
stars and stripes to the breeze on the Pacific 
coast, which act has added a golden empire to 
our beloved country. Long may it wave! 

Our subject is now in his seventy-second 
year, and the only survivor of that band 
around liere, though there are a few scattered 
around the State; but most of the boys have 
"passed in their checks" and gone to that 
country from whose bourne no traveler has 
returned. Well, as to the landing of the 
forces and' hoisting of the flag, it is customary, 
when taking possession of a country, for the 
invading party to haul down the flag of the 
country they are taking; but the Mexicans 
euchered them on that point by secreting 
their flag. So they were delayed for a while 
until a boat could go to the siiip and get a 
Mexican flag to run up and haul down, and 
then ran up the stars and stripes. After 
taking possession of the country they brought 
three forty-two-pounder cannon from the 
ship and mounted them on the spot, where 
was afterward built a fort. They first made a 
block house one and a half stories high, which 
is yet standing and all that is left of the fort. 
The upper or half story was the quarters for 
the officers and men, divided by partitions; 
the lower story was pierced on three sides for 
the canncjnades, on the other side was built 



a stockade out of young pine trees as there were 
plenty close by; they were set close together 
about three feet in the ground and about ten 
feet out; there was a dry ditch just outside 
the stockade, on the side next to the bayiV/hich 
is one of the finest in the world. After the 
regular troops came they built barracks of 
pine logs, but they have since all been dis- 
troyed by Ore. Mr. Bralee, with about a dozen 
sailors and six or eight marines, were left in 
charge to hold the fort, while the ships were 
down the coast. Mr. Bralee remained in the 
service about seven months after the war 
with Mexico first broke out, or after raising 
the flag here, receiving his discharge in 
March, 1847. Monterey at that time con- 
tained only about forty houses, most of which 
were built of adobe or sun-dried brick. Mr. 
Bralee made and burnt about the first kiln of 
brick in the country in 1848, and built the 
first chimney in Monterey in 1847. He was 
called by Walter Colton at different times to 
inspect the work of Colton Hall, as he could 
not do the work on that building, he being 
engaged at that time erecting at the port a 
stone building for an ordnance department, 
contracted for by Captain Marcy, then act- 
ing as Commissary Captain United States 
Army. He also built some of the most sub- 
stantial adobe buildings, one of which is now 
standing and looks as good as ever, although 
forty-two years has passed since its construc- 
tion. And to give the readers an idea of 
what a mud house may cost we will here state 
that this one cost over $20,000! 

Many foreigners of different nationalities 
landed at Monterey at an early date, but com- 
paratively few remained. Mr. Bralee how- 
ever continued his residence here and has 
been closely identified with its interests. Our 
subject was Sujierintendent of the Public 
Schools in 1866, the first superintendent of 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CEUZ, 



Monterey county, and in 1861 was elected a 
Justice of the Peace. 

Mr. Bralee married Alice Scandlin, a na- 
tive of Armagh, county Sligo, Ireland. Of 
the four children born to them two are living: 
Alice Bralee; and Thomas P. Bralee, who is 
a farmer of Carmel valley, Monterey county. 

For thirty-nine years Mr. Bralee was en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits, on his ranch 
of 1,400 acres, in Carmel valley, but since 
1891 has been living a retired life in Mon- 
terey. 

— ^..^..^.j^,...- 

tEVl B. LATHROP, a retired and sub- 
stantial citizen of HoUister, a pioneer of 
California, crossed the plains in 1850, 
from Illinois, via Salt Lake, as Captain of a 
company of fifty-three emigrants, who were 
equipped with sixty horses and the usual out- 
fit of an old-time emigrant train. He was 
young, ambitious and hopeful, and quick to 
discover the possibilities of the new and 
Golden State. 

The spirit of mining was at the time of 
his arrival at Placerville, at " fever heat " and 
he saw a rapidly growing demand for sup- 
plies, and almost immediately he betook 
himself to Trinity county, where he was one 
of the first to embark in the growing of vege- 
tables, and farm produce, for which he found 
a ready market, and large prices. 

He soon engaged in milling, and built the 
first dam across Trinity river that stood the 
floods, and erected the first sawmill in Trinity 
coimty. He sold his pine and spruce lumber 
in the mining district at a great profit. In 
the fall of 1851 he went East and returned to 
California the following spring, via Panama, 
with his wife. She sufiered sickness on the 
way, and in 1855 he sold out from business 
with a competency at San Jose. He soon 



found it impossible to rest without an occu 
pation, and embarked in the uursery and or- 
chard business, on a large scale. 

He planted an orchard of 13,000 trees, and 
in 1855-'56 he bored six artesian wells on 
his estate which furnished an ample supply 
of water, boring the largest in the State, and 
irrigating 100 acres of orchard. On this or- 
chard Mr. Lathrop took the first premium as 
being the best in the State both times it was 
entered at the State fair. This property he 
finally platted and made it an addition to 
the city of San Jose. This property he 
finally sold and then came to Hollister in 
1875, when he purchased a claim of 2,000 
acres, and eng'^ged in an extensive trade of 
dairying. 

He erected the first hay warehouse in Hol- 
lister, and established a business that has de- 
veloped vast proportions. This he conducted 
for a few years, and then sold the same to a 
son, R. R. Lathrop, who still operates it. 

Mr. Lathrop was born in Onondaga county. 
New York, April 30, 1815. He is of Eng- 
lish ancestry, and descends from one John 
Lathrop, an eminent clergyman of the Church 
of England, who came to America as a 
clero-yman, and founded the family in this 
country. Mr. Lathrop. the subject of this 
sketch, was educated for the ministry, and 
started out as a Wesleyau Methodist preacher 
and finding it an occupation insufficient for 
the support of a family, he took up business 
pursuits. 

He read extensively and he early imbibed 
and developed a spirit of independence, and 
hs became imbued with a spirit of un tram- 
meled thought and a dislike for all secret or- 
ders or societies, and he has ever been an 
enemy to secret orders. He has carried his 
belief into practice, and has opposed all secret 
societies and combines. 



AND HAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



327 



The following family records, which are in- 
scribed on the beautiful Scotch granite monu- 
ment in the cemetery at Hollister, and every 
one will reflect on his thoughts and belief. 
On the north side of the monument is written 
as follows: Record of the children born to 
L. B. and Laura Lathrop: 

In Illinois: Cynthia A., March 29, 1840, 
died March 29, 1841, buried at Malugin's 
Grove; Martin A., January 7, 1842; Nancy 
M., December 12, 1843, died December 13, 
1844, buried at Inlet Grove; Curtis G., De- 
cember 30, 1845. 

In California: Martha E., December 25, 
1852; Mary E., January 1, 1854; Ransome 
F., December 6, 1855; Cyrus F., September 
1, 1858; Hattie A., October 11, 1861, died 
January 22, 1883; Ida M., October 11, 1863. 

South side: This lot was bought in 1884, 
when secret societies were all the rage, in 
order that the owner might have a place 
where his family could be buried without in- 
dorsing secret orders. All secretly taught 
religions are delusive. Christ never taught 
in secret: John 18, 20; Isa. 45, 19. There 
is but one way to Heaven: Christ is that way; 
His name, the only ladder; he that climbs up 
any other way is a thief and a robber: John 
10, 1; 7, 10. Heaven is love organized; 
secret societies are selfishness combined. 

West side: Levi Bennett Lathrop, born in 
New York, April 30, 1815; converted at 
seventeen, and at once engaged in Christian 
reform. He never smiled on slavery; never 
used whisky or tobacco; and never Joined a 

secret order. Died in — ; Laura Judd, 

born in Vermont, March 26, 1819; converted 
at eighteen, married to L. B. Lathrop, at 

twenty. Died in . A funeral service 

ignoring the name of Christ is an insult to 
His Majesty: Col. 3, 17. 

East side: "Whatsoever maketh manifest 



is light; whatsoever conceals is darkness. 
Men choose darkness rather than light because 
their deeds are evil, and they will not come 
to the light, lest their deeds should be re- 
proved." True philantluophy seeks light; sel- 
fishness seeks concealment. Heaven has no 
dark corners or secret conclaves. 
No Hiram Abiff or Osiris of old 
Can afford any help in saving the soul ; 
Our trust is in Jesus, the sinners friend; 
On Him, and Him alone, our souls depend. 
There is no grand lodge in Heaven above; 
There is a grand lodge in the regions below, 
Where devils assemble and wicked men go; 
And, when all are entered from every way. 
The door will be shut for ever to stay. 

Rev. 20. 
Mrs. Lathrop, whose maiden name was 
Laura Judd, is a daughter of Ira Judd, who 
was a farmer of Orange county, Vermont, 
where she was born, in the town of Stratibrd, 
in 1819. She came West from Vermont 
when she was nineteen years of age, and was 
married at twenty years of age. 



fAMES M. FINCH was born in Stafford, 
Connecticut, June 10, 1830. His father 
Stephen B. Finch, a cooper by trade, was 
for many years a resident of Stafford. He 
moved from there to New York, and in that 
city continued work at his trade. James is 
the oldest in a family of nine children. When 
a young man, became, in 1854, to California, 
and in 1858 was followed to this coast by his 
brother Charles. He made the journey 
thither via the Isthmus of Panama. 

Upon his arrival in this State, Mr. Finch 
clerked for two months in a hotel in San 
Francisco; came to Monterey and ran a fruit 
store two years; kept wine rooms two years, 
and then conducted a hotel three years. In 
1861 he located at the head of Cashagua 



328 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA ORUZ, 



creek, in Monterey county, and engaged in 
stock-raising. This raocli he still owns. 
During the past five years he conducted a 
livery in Monterey, which he sold in 1891. 

Mr. Finch was married in 1881, to Miss 
Ellen O'Neal, by whom he has two daughters, 
Ethel E. and Alma J. 

Being one of the early arrivals to this coast, 
Mr. Finch has witnessed the wonderful pro- 
gress and development of California. His 
brother Charles lives in the upper Carmel 
valley, and is a prosperous and highly re- 
spected stock-raiser. 

L. CARPENTER, of the city of 
Salinas, one of the pioneers of 
^ California, was born in Herkimer 
county, New York, February 22, 1829. His 
father. Low Carpenter, was a farmer and a 
native of the same county, where he married 
Nancy Barney, likewise born in the same 
place. Of their family of nine children, our 
subject is the fourth. Of these four sons and 
five daughters, some are still living. A 
brother of the subject, David Carpenter, has 
been Tax Collector of Contra Costa county, 
California, for many years. He came to the 
State of California in 1850. 

Our subject came to the " Golden State " 
in the " golden days" of 1849, and mined in 
California for about nine years in Placer and 
El Dorado counties. Later he also mined in 
Sacramento county, then located in Contra 
Costa county in 1859, and engaged in dairy 
farmincr.' There he lived until 1867, when 
he located in the Salinas valley, where he has 
since resided. 

In 1872 he was elected Assessor of Monte- 
rey county, on the Republican ticket, and 
succeeded himself, in 1874. Pie proved him- 



self an efficient official, and gave thorough 
satisfaction. 

In 1877, Mr. Carpenter married Laura 
Ilorvell, and one daughter has been born to 
them: May Laura, who came to them May 9, 
1887. The family home is located on the 
outskirts of Salinas, surrounded by thirty 
acres of land, and is a model dwelling place. 
Mr. Carpenter is esteemed for his many ex- 
cellent traits of character. 

fUNCAN McKINNON, a weU-known, 
thrifty farmer and successful business 
-n^ man of Monterey county, is a native of 
York county, Canada, where he was born, 
June 15, 1836. His parents were natives 
of Scotland who emigrated to America in 
1835. 

When our subject was only nine years of 
age he suffered the loss of his father, who 
left a widow and seven dependent children, 
of whom Duncan was the second child and 
oldest son. At an early age he assumed the 
responsibilities that seldom fall upon the 
shoulders of boys much his senior, and when 
but a youth took charge of the household 
and ran the farm. During this time he ac- 
quired a good common-school education and 
remained at home nntil 1862, when the gold 
excitement in British Columbia broke out, 
and his ambition was fired and he determined 
to seek his fortune in the gold fields. Accord- 
ingly, April 7, of that year he started for 
New York city by rail, and April 11 sailed 
from that port on the steamer Northern 
Light, for Aspinwall, arriving at his destina- 
tion on the twenty- second. Crossing the 
Isthmus at that point, he sailed for San 
Francisco, on the Golden Age, and reached 
that city. May 5. From thence he proceeded 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



to Victoria, Vancouver's Isle, and after sev- 
eral days started for the mines, arriving Sep- 
tember 11, 1863. After some thrilling ex- 
periences in this wild country, in 1805 he re- 
turned to San Francisco, arriving November 
of that year. In May, 1866, he resumed 
farming, working in Santa Clara county, and 
for the first time in his life received wages 
for his work. In 1867 he returned home to 
Canada, but he found that his boyhood home 
had lost its early charm as his motiier was 
dead and the family scattered; so, in October, 
1867, he returned to California with his 
brother Anthony, and settled in Monterey 
county, wliei'e lie rented land of Don Juan 
M. Soto, near Salinas. Here the two broth- 
ers farmed until 1874, when they purchased 
1,100 acres of the Sausal rancho, paying 
$60,000 for it. To this they added about 
200 acres more from the Natividad ranch. 
Mr. McKinnon purchased his brother's inter- 
est in this property in 1881, and now is sole 
owner of 1,300 acres of the best land in this 
county. His residence is two and one-half 
miles northeast of Salinas, and surrounded 
by this fine ranch of 1,300 acres of land 
which is perfectly level. The soil is very 
productive, but at present Mr. McKinnon is 
devoting less attention to farming than to 
dairying. He has recently constructed an 
immense barn for his cows, the plans of which 
for utility and convenience are unexcelled. 
He also has a fine machine shop, where he 
could make a thresher if he needed it. In 
this machine shop he has a magnificent lathe, 
an excellent carpenter shop, barley crusher, 
steam engine, etc. He is not only a mechan- 
ical genius, but a careful and methodical 
business man, and the success lie has attained 
has been the result of his own eflbrts. 

Mr. McKinnon was married, January 1, 
1877; to Miss Alice M., a daughter of J. R. 



Hebbron, Esq. She died in 1889, leaving 
two children, namely: Duncan P., born De- 
cember 6, 1877, and William E., born May 
12, 1880. 

PAVID W. LLOYD, deceased.— It is 
safe to say that very few men, if any, 
held in a greater degree the respect and 
esteem of his fellow-citizens than this well 
known California pioneer. 

He was a native of the Empire State, born 
near the city of Rome, Oneida county. May 
1, 1831, and was of Welsh descent. He at- 
tended the public schools of his native town 
until about thirteen years of age, and one 
year's study at Whitesboro College, New 
York, terminated his school days. 

Inclining to business rather than a profes- 
sional life, he went to New York city, and for 
three years clerked in a wholesale mercantile 
establishment. He then, after spending a 
few months in Boston, Massachusetts, went 
(in 1847) to New Orleans, from which point 
he boated on the Mississippi river to St. 
Louis. 

March, 1849, found young Lloyd at Fort 
Leavenworth, making preparations for a 
journey across the plains to California. He 
commenced his overland trip the following 
April and arrived at Georgetown, El Dorado 
county, California, June 1, 1850, having 
wintered in Salt Lake. He engaged in placer 
mining in Oregon Canon for a time. For 
lack of water there, he removed to Nevada 
City, Nevada county, and there remained, 
with varied success, till the fall of 1853. In 
1854 he engaged in merchandising at Santa 
Cruz, continuing there until 1860. He then 
returned East, and conducted a hotel business 
for two years in New York- He could not, 
however, dispel the desire to return to Call- 



MOXTERET, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



fornia, and again lie sought this coast. Lo- 
cating in Santa Crnz, he engaged in the 
livery and lumbering business. In these 
ventures he met with financial reverses, and 
went out of business. He spent two years in 
San Francisco, and then embarked in the 
fruit business at Santa Clara, remaining there 
eight years. He located at Salinas, Monterey 
county, in 1874, where he was successfully 
engaged in the grocery and provision trade 
until January, 1887, when he became one of 
the first permanent residents and a merchant 
of Pacific Grove. Here he lived until the 
time of his death, September 8, 1891. 

Mr. Lloyd was married in 1860, at New 
York city, to Miss Elizabeth F., daugliter of 
Dr. K. Wellington Roberts. Dr. Roberts 
was a successful practicing physician of New 
York, an Englishman by l)irth and educa- 
tion; came to America at about twenty-two 
years of age. He married in England, and 
during the first years of his professional life 
in New York lived at Troy, where Mrs. Lloyd 
was born November 8, 1841. She is a lady 
of fine domestic tastes, good judgment and 
Christian fortitude. She has four daughters 
living: the Misses Marguerita, Leonia and 
Mabel; and Mrs. Carrie L., wife of J. <>. 
Johnson, a leading capitalist and business 
man of Pacific Grove. 

David W. Lloyd was a man of many ad- 
mirable qualities of mind and heart. He was 
generous and open-handed to a fault. He was 
buoyant and cheerful in his nature and al- 
ways approachable. He was an ambitious 
and somewhat aggressive business man, a man 
for emergencies. Reverses he met without 
complaint or misgivings. He was never 
lacking for resources of mind to devise means 
of recovery. He was broad in conceptions, 
and, while not despising small things, he in- 
clined to broad and liberal deals in all his 



business. He possessed great personal pride 
and love for his family; was in the highest 
degree and truest sense of the term a loyal 
husband and a fond father. Home was his 
retreat from the bustle of business and cares 
of a busy outside life. He was a public- 
spirited man. No citizen was more ambi- 
tious for the growth and building up of his 
town than David W. Lloyd. He was active 
in all movements tending to the public good, 
foremost in educational matters, and the pro- 
moter and a director of the bank of Pacific 
Grove. His death was a grievous loss to Mon- 
terey county and his home town. The funeral 
took place at the Methodist Church, of which 
he was a constant attendant, and all that was 
mortal of this esteemed pioneer of 1850 was 
laid to rest September 10, in El Carmelu cem- 
etery, overlooking the peaceful and placid 
waters of Monterey bay. 

The business which Mr. Lloyd established 
and so successfully conducted at Pacific 
Geove, continues under the supervision of 
his widowand the three unmarried daughters, 
ladies of excellent social accomplishments, 
popular in society and possessed of tine busi- 
ness abilities. 

SERDINAND GUNZENDORFER, one 
of the most conspicuous figures in the 
material development of the city of 
Monterey, is a pioneer of the place, and has 
the honor of being one of the few early in- 
habitants still resident within the boundaries 
of this pleasant, ancient burg. His life's 
history has fully demonstrated that in this 
country, with its illimitable opportunities 
and possibilities, any young man fired by 
laudable ambition, determined effort and 
fidelity to every trust can win distinction and 
attain material prosperity, honored and re- 



AN^D SAN MATEO CUUNTIES. 



spected by his friends and associates. His 
course in life has ever been upright and just. 
Manly, unpretentious, genial, whole-souled, 
kind, generous and sympathetic, he has been 
universally popular. The idol of his inti- 
mates, the confident of his friends, the trusted 
associate in business, a friend of the distressed 
and needy, honored for his intellectual at- 
tainments and respected for his sterling in- 
tegrity, it would be strange, indeed, were he 
not regarded as a model and worthy citizen. 

Mr. Gunzendorfer is a native of Bavaria, 
Germany, born in the town of Adelsdorf, 
August 1. 1838. In early life he was thrown 
upon his own resources and emigrated to the 
United States, arriving in the year 1849. 
Friendless, unknown and without means, for 
two years he struggled for existence in the 
Eastern States. However, the young emi- 
grant was not discouraged. Pie labored on 
faithfully and ardently, industriously laying 
aside such portions of his scant income as 
might some day enable him to seek brighter 
and more remunerative fields. The great 
furore created by the announcement of the 
discovery of gold in California, turned the 
young man's thoughts to this Golden State, 
and early in the year 1851, having saved a 
small amount of money, and having obtained 
the position of supercargo on one of the 
vessels sailing to Panama, laden with gold 
seekers, he came to this coast. Almost im- 
mediately after landing in San Francisco he 
proceeded to Monterey, where he found em- 
ployment as a salesman in a general store 
conducted by B. Goldman. In 1855 Mr. 
Gunzendorfer entered into business for him- 
self, having for a time a partner. Since 1851, 
with the exception of the years intervening 
between 1872 and 1884, he has been continu- 
ously a resident of Monterey county. In 
1884 he associated with himself hi-' son 



Adolph, from which time the business has 
been conducted under the firm name of F. 
Gunzendorfer & Son, which is as well known 
throughout Monterey county, as it is deserv- 
edly popular. The firm is now compofeed of 
the subject of our review and his youngest 
son, Jacob W. 

In the year 1863 Mr. Gunzendorfer was 
united in marriage with Miss Fannie Gold- 
stein. They have four sons, viz.: Gustave, 
an able lawyer and at present one of the 
prosecuting attorneys of the city and county 
of San Francisco; Adolph, Abraham, and 
Jacob W. All except the oldest are asso- 
ciated with their father in business. 

Mr. Gunzendorfer has ever been thoroughly 
identified with the business history and 
growth of his adopted county and town, and 
has invested largely in local realty, thus dis- 
playing his confidence in the stability and 
future of his section of the country. As 
further evidence of his undoubting faith in 
the permanent prosperity and solidity of 
Monterey, Mr. Gunzendorfer will shortly 
erect a substantial business block on Alvaiado 
street, near the location of his present estab- 
lishment. TUe building will be an architect- 
ural ornament, spacious in size, embracing 
all 'the modern improvements and conven- 
iences for a first-class dry-goods and clothing 
store. 

Away from business Mi'- Gunzendorfer is 
found to be a man of social culture and wide 
reading, an accomplished linguist and a 
thorough musician. Few persons speak as 
many languages as he, and none are more 
fluent. His acquaintance with language is 
not superficial, but descends to all the intri- 
cacies of derivation, construction and expres- 
sion. In music he excels, being regarded as 
an expert. His instrument is the clarionet. 
For a time in the early days he was the di- 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



rector of a band in Monterey, which was 
justly celebrated for its remarkable excellence. 
The musical instinct of the father has been 
inherited by his sons, as each plays some 
instrument. Gustave is a tine pianist, Adolph 
a violinist of superior merit, Abraham a 
splendid elarionetist, and Jacob a good per- 
former on the piccolo. 

In public spirit no one excels Mr. Gunzen- 
dorfer, he being one of Monterey's most 
energetic citizens, promptly encouraging all 
movements liliely to advance its welfare. He 
is an active and useful member of the Board 
of Trade, and has been for a long time one 
of its directors, and as such has done much 
to increase the progress of the city. 

Although a busy man, Mr. Gunzendorfer 
finds time to devote himself to fraternal so- 
cieties. For more than a quarter of a ceTitury 
he has been a member of the Masonic order, 
and is afiiliated with Monterey Lodge. He 
is also a member of the A. O. U. W. 

Such a career as we have here recorded 
may well be studied by the rising youth as a 
glowing example of what energy, thrift and 
intelligence may accomplish under trying 
circumstances, and without §timulant other 
than such as comes from labor worthily done. 
In Mr. Gunzendorfer, Monterey county has a 
citizen of whom any community would be 
proud, and of whom no higher praise can be 
~ sung than that he ig an enterprising and ster- 
ling citizen, a firm patriot and a true friend. 

fL. BRADFORD, editor and publisher 
of the Monterey Cypress, was born in 
^ the city of San Francisco, June 28, 
1851, and is therefore one of the first native 
sous born to white parents in this State. His 
early years were spent in tlie city of hi« birth. 



where he received a liberal education. In 
1875 he took up the study of law, which he 
practiced in Stanislaus and Mono counties 
until 1880, when he started the Modesto 
Strawhttck, a German paper, which was suc- 
cessfully published for a number of years. 
Subsequently he published the Modesto Re- 
puhlican, Modesto Free Press, the Interior 
Press and California Railroad Journal. 

In 1881 Mr. Bradford was wedded to Miss 
Mary Eva Roehrig, daughter of Philip 
Roehrig, of Modesto. Mrs. Bradford was 
born in Wayne county, New York, and came 
to California with her parents in 1868. The 
issue of this marriage is Carmen Bradford, a 
girl nine years of age; and Lafayette Harri- 
son Bradford, aged four years. 

In 1888, Mr. Bradford, at the solicitation 
of several business men of Monterey, came 
to the old capital and established the Mon- 
terey Cypresn, which paper he still owns, al- 
though he devotes the most of his attention 
to the practice of law. 

The subject of this sketch traces his an- 
cestry back to the landing of the Mayflower, 
his father, Judge H. C. Bradford, being a 
descendant of William Bradford, a passenger 
on that historic vessel. 

fOHN LEWIS SMITH, deceased, a na- 
tive of Germany, came to this country, 
with his parents, when about two years 
of age. The family settled in New Albany, 
Indiana, on the banks of the Ohio river and 
engaged in farming. 

In 1848 Mr. Smith crossed the plains to 
California and worked at the mines of the 
Feather river district. April 21, 1859, he 
married Miss Hannah Hillock, a daughter of 
Edward Hillock. The ceremony took place 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



333 



in Santa Clara county, and then in 1859, the 
young couple removed to San Benito county 
and located on San Jjenito creek, where Mr. 
Smith engaged in stock-raising and he and 
his wife were among the very early settlers of 
that county. Here he lived and did an ex- 
tensive business until his death, which oc- 
curred October 12, 1883. He was widely 
known throughout the county as a conscien- 
tious, honest and enterprising citizen. 

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Smith, namely: Mary E., now Mrs. William 
Mantes of Salinas; Margaret A., now Mrs. 
James Barton, of King City; Charles P. 
andLouis G., at the old homestead; Emma J., 
Charlotta M., John E. and Clara B. at the 
family home in Hollister. 

Charles Putman Smith, above mentioned, 
married, October 28, 1891, Miss Florence 
Hoag, daughter of James W. Hoag, of Oak- 
land. He occupies and manages the old 
home on San Benito creek. 



fAMES T. LAHIFF, of Hollister, is a 
native of Nevada county, California, and 
was born at Moore's Flat, June 17, 1866. 
His father, David LahitF, a successful miner 
and mine owner, and an expert in the art of 
mine drilling, operated a mine at Virginia 
City, Nevada. About this time he aban- 
doned mining, and in 1872 located at Hollis- 
ter, where he now lives and enjoys the confi- 
dence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen. 

David Lahiff married, in 1863, Miss 
Mary Murphy, of San Francisco, and of 
their seven children, four are now living, 
and James T., the subject of this sketch, is 
the second oldest. He was educated in the 
public schools of Virginia City, Nevada, and 
of Hollister. Being a faithful student he 



fitted himself for teaching, and after secur- 
ing his certificate, taught his first school at 
Park Mills, then at Willow Creek and later 
on at i'aicines, and finally at Hollister, where, 
for two terms, during the years of 1890-'91, 
he served as vice-principal. He relinquished 
teaching and took up the study of law, but 
abandoning this he turned his attention to 
journalism, and having acquired an interest 
ia the Hollister JP'7'ee Zance, he assumed ed- 
itorial charge of it, as will be seen elsewhere 
in this work, and he is still identified with 
this excellent Journal. 

Mr. Lahift" being a Republican in politics, 
is not partisan, as all his editorial work 
plainly shows. His keen sense of honor and 
his inherent desire to see the right in all mat- 
ters prevail, stamp his newspaper with his 
individuality and carries with it a wide in- 
fluence for good throughout San Benito 
county. The enterprise of the J*^ree JLance, 
under its present, as well as former manage- 
ment, has done much for the material ad- 
vancement of its county. Its several beau- 
tifully illustrated and exhaustive special 
editions, issued in large quantities, have 
spread, far and wide, the story of San Benito 
county's greatness. Mr. Lahiff is a liberal and 
broad-minded editor, a genial gentleman, and 
his circle of friends is as vast as the beauti- 
ful valleys and plains of central California. 



SBANCIS M. HILBY, a leading druggist 
and esteemed citizen of Monterey, Cali- 
fornia, was born in the picturesque little 
town of Cloverdale, California, February 28, 
1860, and enjoys the distinction of having 
been the first white child ever born in that 
place. 

His father, Francis M., was a rugged native 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



of the laud of William Tell fame, who left 
the fastnesses of his grand and beautiful 
country to seek, in 1844, a home and fortune 
in America, that Mecca of the restless and 
discontented. His first settlement was made 
in Galena, Illinois. Later, hearing the glow- 
ing accounts of California, he, with his broth- 
er, iu 1852, crossed the intervening plains 
to this El Dorado of the West. They both 
located in Sacramento for a time, where Fran- 
cis M. worked at his trade of saddler. The 
latter was subsequently married, in San Fran- 
cisco, to Miss Catherine B. Kessler, also a 
native of Switzerland. After seven years' 
residence in Sacramento, be removed to 
Cloverdale, where his death occurred January 
2, 1862. He was a man of sterling qualities 
of heart and mind, and enjoyed the respect of 
all who knew him. This worthy couple were 
the parents of three children, two of whom 
are now living, the subject of this sketch and 
a sister, Agatha, now Mrs. Charles Few, of 
Monterey. 

Mrs. Hilby afterward remarried, and ac- 
companied her husband to Flint district, 
Idaho, where he had mining interests, taking 
with her the children by her first marriage. 

Francis, the son, remained there until 
1871, when he returned to Cloverdale, where 
he attended school. He subsequently went 
to San Francisco, and, in 1879, graduated 
from Heald's Business College of that city. 
In 1883-'84 he attended the California 
College of Pharmacy. He also learned teleg- 
raphy, and served as telegraph operator and 
station agent for the San Francisco and 
Northern Pacific Railroad Company and after- 
ward for the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany. In 1882 he resigned his position with 
the latter company to engage in the drug 
business in Monterey, his efforts in this direc- 
tion having been crowned with gratifying 



success. He is eminently a self-made man, 
and deserves universal commendation for his 
persistent and honorable efforts in gaining a 
livelihood. 

He was married, April 14, 1887, to Miss 
Julia Mayer, of Maytield, California. They 
have three sons, who promise, under the able 
tutelage of their father, to become typical 
Californians of indefatigable push and energy. 

Mr. Hilby is Republican in his political 
affiliations, and has been for a number of 
years an active member of the Union League 
Club and of the Republican County Central 
Executive Committee. 

He is a member of several societies and 
orders, belonging to the California and Amer- 
ican Pharmaceutical Associations, and being 
actively identified with the Native Sons of 
the Golden West, having served the latter 
order as delegate to several Grand Parlors 
and acted as Deputy Grand President for 
three terms. 

California's broad expanses of country, 
affording her inhabitants ample room to ex- 
pand, financially, socially and individually, 
has much to do, no doubt, with the develop- 
ment of her hardy, progressive and aggressive 
citizens. Certainly her sons are brave and 
effective champions, who, by their united 
and persevering efforts have succeeded in 
planting her beautiful banner in the fore- 
most rank of the glorious Sisterhood of 
States. 

ILLIAM H. OLIVER came to Cali- 
fornia in the fall of 1861, and is a 
native of Bath, Maine, where he was 
born November 7, 1841. His father, Ben- 
jamin Oliver, was a farmer, and dealer in 
stock and farm and timbered lands. Our 
subject came to California via the Isthmus 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



of Panama and went to the mines in Hum- 
boldt county, Nevada. At the expiration of 
six months he returned to California and re- 
sided there until 1868 at San Jose. In the 
fall of that year he removed and located near 
Hollister, and engaged in the raising of grain, 
fruit and stock, in which he has been very 
successful. He now owns a fertile farm of 
285 acres, all grain and fruit land;, a thrifty 
young orchard is on the place, besides his 
farming property near Hollister. He also 
has large real-estate interests in Pacific Grove, 
Monterey county. In 1876 he married Miss 
LuelJa, eldest daughter of the Kev. D. A. 
Dryden, a well-known clergyman of Gilroy. 
They have two children: Ruth Elinor and 
Edith Bernice, aged, respectively, fifteen and 
twelve. This family is highly respected 
throughout the entire neighborhood. 

§ONA CATALINA MANZANELl de 
MUNRAS is one of the few represent- 
atives of the early days of historic Monte- 
rey. She was born at San Bias, Mexico, 
April 30, 1798. Her father, Nicholas Man- 
zaneli, was a native of Genoa, Italy, and her 
mother, Maria Casilda Ponce de Leon, was 
descended from one of the famous fami- 
lies of Spain and a lineal descendant of Ponce 
de Leon, the illustrious explorer and navi- 
gator. 

When Dona Catalina was one year old she 
was bereft of her father, and her mother mar- 
ried a Spanish gentleman, Don Manuel Quix- 
ano, who was an eminent physician and sur- 
geon. The climate of Mexico, where he held 
the Government position. Surgeon of Troops, 
not agreeing with him, he petitioned the 
authorities for a change. By the death of 
the then acting surgeon of California, a va- 



cancy was created and the king of Spain at 
once appointed Don Manuel to the position 
as Captain, and stationed him at Monterey as 
physician to the Spanish troops of California. 

At the age of fifteen Doiia Catalina suf- 
fered the loss of her mother, who was a lady 
of great physical beauty, as well as extraor- 
dinary mental culture. She was laid to rest 
within the sanctuary of the Roman Catholic 
Church at Monterey, the obsequies being at- 
tended with the solemnity and honors due to 
her as the wife of the foremost medical officer 
of the Spanish troops of America. 

February 12, 1822, Doiia Catalina was 
united in marriage to Don Estevan Munras, a 
native of Barcelona, Spain, where he was born 
in 1798. Don Estevan left his native country 
in 1815 on a long sea voyage. After travel- 
ing through South America, he left for 
California, where he arrived August 12, 
1817. There he met and won the heart of 
Doiia Catalina, and but for the fact that his 
business demanded his almost immediate re- 
turn to Spain, and that his affianced could 
not 'leave her stepfather, to whom she was 
most devoted, her marriage to the man she had 
chosen as her life protector, would have 
taken place ere his return to Spain. Don 
Estevan, with a brave, yet aching heart, left 
his affianced and returned to the land of his 
birth, settled his business afEairs, and in 1821 
returned to Monterey, and led the charming 
Catalina to the marriage altar. After his 
marriage he located at the old capital, where 
he became a successful merchant and land- 
owner, and one of California's most influen- 
tial citizens. En 1829 he erected one of the 
most spacious adobe residences in Monterey, 
in which was built the first fireplace in Cali- 
fornia. The mode of heating rooms in those 
days having been by use of the brazier, an 
iron or hard metal vessel filled with live 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



coals, a very unhealthy custom. He further 
erected extensive warehouses on the same 
property where he had conducted au exten- 
sive trade with the missions, Soledad, San 
Miguel, San Antonio, and San Carlos; also 
trading with vessels coming from foreign 
ports in to the harbor of Monterey. He was 
the chief merchant of his class in California 
during those early days of Monterey, and <ic- 
cumulated great wealth. 

Don Estevan became a very popular citizen, 
and, while not given to politics, took part in 
shaping and conducting the local government 
of California, serving as Alcalde and Justice 
of the Peace. He was a friend of all worthy 
foreigners, wielding a wide influence. He 
was grantee of the Laguna Seca, San Fran- 
cisquito and San Vicente ranches. He was 
a man of strong charsteter and possessed a 
heart as tender and true as that of a child. 
Consequently, while he was honoi-ed for his 
probity and keen sense of justice, he was be- 
loved by all, rich and poor alike, for his warm 
and responsive heart, which always opened 
the doors of his elegant and hospitable home 
to the needy wanderer, and his purse to all 
worthy appeals for charity. The worthy poor 
were never turned from his storehouse with- 
out substantial evidences of his true and 
genuine liberality. About his home and on 
his ranches he employed many laborers for 
the carrying on of his extensive business. 

It is said that scores of men have come to 
Monterey in quest of Don Estevan, saying, 
" They had heard how good a master he 
was, and they wished to work for him." One 
of his business maxims was, " Delay the 
wages of the laborer as long as you can hold 
a live coal in your hand." To the poor he 
sold goods at cost,' never aiming to reap a 
profit from their hard earnings. It was from 
the sale of the luxuries, not the necessities of 



life, that he would make his profit. Through- 
out all the vicissitudes of those uncertain 
days in national affairs, Don Estevan was 
loyal to the Government of Spain; and when 
Mexican independence was declared and Cali- 
fornia came under Mexican rule, many of the 
loyal subjects of the Spanish Government 
were notified to leave the country. Nothing, 
however, was said to Don Estevan; but his 
personal pride and great sense of honor, 
prompted him to share the misfortune of his 
loyal friends, and he and his family made 
preparations to leave Monterey. But such 
was the high esteem in which he was held 
that he was not only requested, but urged, to 
remain, those urging him to stay declaring 
that Monterey could not afford to part with 
so good and influential a citizen. 

Of him, Larkin, in his notes says, " He 
favored the change of government which 
finally came in 1847," and he lived until 
1850, dying of a stroke of apoplexy. He 
left a widow, the subject of this sketch, and 
several children, to whom he bequeathed a 
valuable estate. Four of his children are now 
living: the eldest, Concepcion, is the widow 
of Dr. William H. McKee, who was an emi- 
nent physician; Marie Antonia, the widow 
of Prof, fiaphael Danglada; Engracia, wife 
of Dr. J. D. Callaghan; and Dolores, wife of 
A. E. Allen. 



ARIANO G. SOBEKANES dates 

oW/BK his birth in Monterey county, Cali- 
'^^ fornia, February 5, 1826. His early 
life was spent in his native town, removing 
therefrom in 1853 to his present home on 
the ranch one mile from the old mission 
church of Soledad. Here he has since re- 
sided, engaged in farming and stock-raising. 




AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



337 



His father, Feliciano Soberanes, was born at 
Carmelo, Monterey county, in 1788; was 
Administrator of the Soledad Mission, and a 
Judge of the First Instance under Governor 
Alvarado. 

Mariano G. Soberanes was united in mar- 
riacre, in 1851, with Dona Francisco Steven- 
son. Her father was an Englishman, and 
her mother, a Spaniard, was born at G nay- 
mas, Mexico. They have a family of ten 
children. 



fACOB SNIBLEY, Esq., was born in 
"Warren county, Pennsylvania, Decem- 
ber 22, 1835. He is the third child in 
the family of Jacob Snibley, deceased. (See 
sketch of William Snibley.) 

Our subject spent his boyhood in Du 
Page county, Illinois. He then removed to 
Joliet, Illinois, where he learned the carpenter 
trade; here he remained three years and then 
returned to Du Page county, same State, 
where his father was then living. In 1856 
he emigrated to Wisconsin and spent two 
years at Waukesha, and from there he went to 
Kansas, where he remained some time. In 1873 
he came to San Benito county, and located at 
Fairview, near Hollister, where he rents a 
fertile and well-cultivated farm of 359 acres. 
Mr. Snibley is an unassuming man and is 
justly popular among a large circle of friends. 

Mr. Snibley was married, in Kansas, in 
1859, to Maria Richards, a native of Michi- 
gan. 

fPASPER H. TWITCHELL, •# San Juan, 
California, is ranked with the forty- 
niners. He left McDonough county, 
Illinois, in the spring of 1848, and came 
overland to this coast with a company. 



After crossing the Missouri river, the com- 
pany was organized in divisions of fifty wag- 
ons each. Mr. Twitchell was chosen captain 
of a division. The iirst brush they had 
with the Indians was on Elkhorn river, 
where the savages tried to stampede their 
cattle. Two of the party were wounded in 
the encounter. Mr. Twitchell's wife died 
while on the way, at the place called Chim- 
ney Rock. If anything would try a man's 
soul it is to bury the companion of his life in 
the wild West. As they arrived at the sweet 
water, their cattle were poisoned by drinking 
the water, and twenty-nine of their oxen died 
from the effects. They continued dying after 
that until they had an insufficient number 
to move their wagons all together, being 
obliged to leave some behind and go back 
after them. They were so detained that 
they could not cross the mountains that 
winter, and were obliged to build cabins and 
camps where Ogden now stands. They left 
in the early spring of 1849 to cross the 
mountains. 

The next trouble they had with Indians 
was on Humboldt river, where the Indians 
captured one of their work oxen. They 
took one of the Indians a prisoner and car- 
ried him on a day's journey. They gave him 
victuals to eat and kept him under guard. 
Mr. Twitchell called the camp to order to 
know what they slaould do with him. The 
parties that had lost their ox wanted to hang 
him, but Mr. Twitchell would not allow it. 
There was in the company at the time an old 
mountaineer who could speak the Indian 
tongue, and they told him to tell his people 
to let the emigrants pass in peace over their 
land and not to molest them or their animals 
and they would do them the same. He 
bowed assent to this. They then tied him 
up a little "grub," gave him his bow and 



3b8 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SAKTA CRUZ, 



arrows and his pony, and told him to go. 
They had no further trouble for a while. 

They came on to the sink of the Hum- 
boldt, where they had a forty -mile sandy 
desert to cross. They camped there for a 
few days for their animals to recruit up. 
Mr. Twitchell then called the carap to order 
to ascertain the best time to cross the desert. 
He was of the opinion that the ni»ht time 
was the best, but was overruled by older 
men. 

They started next morning by daybreak. 
It happened, as Mr. Twitchell thought it 
would, many of the cattle dropped down in 
the middle of the day; and during the cool of 
the night they all came through to water. 

They had no further tronlile till they came 
to Carson valley, and at the mouth of Carson 
canon they camped three or four days. In 
the meantime another company came up, 
who had had a difficulty, and joined Mr. 
Twitchell's party. Mr. Twitchell had made 
up his mind to build a bridge across the 
Carson river, which was so high and swift 
that it was impossible to cross it at that 
place. The new party said they would help 
to build a bridge if Mr. Twitchell would al- 
low them to tear it away when all had passed 
over, but to this Mr. Twitchell did not agree. 
Some distance above they found a difficult 
crossing, where by using ropes they finally 
got the wagons across. There were three 
crossings to make, and it took them three 
days to cross them. 

Then they had no more trouble till they 
reached the first range of the Sierra Nevada 
mountains, where one of their oxen was 
killed by Indians. 

With great difficulty they got over the 
first mountains and camped in the valley. 
The next morning Mr. Twitchell and two 
other men volunteered to go and ascertain 



where they could find the next camping, 
place. They were gone two days and one 
night, without any provision or blankets, 
and it rained and snowed all the while! and 
when they returned to the camp they found 
that some of the company was on starvation. 
Captain Twitchell called the company to- 
gether to ascertain the situation of all, and 
found that one man had with him five or six 
barrels of flour. He told him he wanted 
him to let those who were entirely destitute 
have some of his flour. He objected at first, 
and Mr. Twitchell told him to do it willingly, 
and that he should have his pay for it. 

They then started and crossed the mount- 
ain, and camped at a lake now called Tahoe. 
They had no more trouble until they reached 
the bank of the Sacramento river, where 
Sacramento city is now. Camping there, 
they put up tents and cloth houses. Mr. 
Twitchell then built a cloth shed to work 
under and commenced working at his trade, 
wheelwrighting. The great flood that fol- 
lowed some time after buried his tools and 
timber, under six feet of water and he was 
forced to have his family boated to higher 
land, east of Sutter's Fort, where he built 
a house and a wheelwright shop, and opened 
a hotel. It was impossible for teams to get 
into the city. All provisions had to be boated 
up the slough near his place. Finally the 
water dried up so as to permit teams and travel 
in the city, and our subject's business became 
slack. Then he was forced to go to the mines. 
Hearing of rich diggings near a place called 
Yreka, he struck nothing there worth while to 
remain for and he went to the north fork of 
Scott river, beginning with fine prospects, 
but suffered an injury to his spine. While 
there he found an old acquaintance by the 
name of Barr, who had lived in Hancock 
county, Illinois. When Mr. Twitchell first 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



knew him lie was a doctor by occupation. 
His company had left him to die with mount- 
ain fever, with nothing to eat or to cover 
him. Our subject at once took charge of 
him. He continued to get better. 

Mr. Twitcbell abandoned the mines and 
started for home. The journey over Trinity 
mountains outdid the doctor and brought 
the fever on him worse than ever. He then 
begged Mr. Twitcbell- to leave him alone to 
die, which of course he would not do; but 
when they camped at night he thought he 
would have to abandon him, after all. In 
looking over his medicines he found a piece 
of champhor gum; thinking it might do the 
suffering man some good he gave him a 
strong dose. He watched over him and 
soon be began to brake out in a perspiration. 
Next morning our subject asked him how he 
was. He said the fever had left him and 
that he was very weak. He accused him of 
giving him some powerful medicine. Mr. 
Twitcbell told him ISTo; he had only given 
him some camphor. He then said that Mr. 

Twitcbell was a doctor. He grew better 

and they started on their journey. 

At night they camped on the h ead of Clear 
creek, where the Indians killed four pack 
men within half a mile of them and took 
their provisions and mnles! But such was 
life in the wild West, where all was excite- 
ment over the gold fever. Men lost all hu- 
manity in those days. 

After Mr. Twitcbell reached home he 
moved his shop into the city and had a good 
business there till the city burned down. 
Then he became discouraged and left that 
part of the country and came to San Juan, 
San Benito county, California, in the year 
1853. This was then a flourishing business 
place. He built the first shop in the town, 
and took a quarter section of land in the 



valley, which at that time was considered 
government land, but it was afterward found 
to be covered with the San Justo grant. 
Mr. Twitcbell was forced to leave it and all 
his improvements. He then moved to his 
present location, at the head of San Juan 
creek. He had purchased his place from a 
settler in 1858, and in a few years it was 
covered with the Gabilan grant, and he 
had to buy it from the grant. He now owns 
1,000 acres of fine farming and grazing land, 
abundantly watered. He moved his family 
there in 1867. 

Mr. Twitcbell is a native of Ohio, born in 
Meigs county, September 1, 1820, son of 
Joshua and Ursula (Knight) Twitcbell, the 
former a native of Vermont and the latter of 
Massachusetts. His grandfather,Joshua Twit- 
cbell, Sr., also a Vermonter, served seven 
years in the Revolutionary war. In 1830 
Joshua Twitcbell, Jr., located with his family 
in McDonough county, Illinois, from which 
point the subject of this sketch started West. 
His brother, Silas, has for many years been 
a resident of San Juan, and another brother, 
Loranzo, lives in San Luis Obispo county. 

Mr. Twitcbell has been twice married, 
wedding his present companion, nee Emeline 
Hopper, in 1849, and they have three sons 
and five daughters. 

fELSON TAYLOR, a venerable pioneer 
of Santa Cruz, California, was born in 
Tompkins county. New York, April 
12, 1811. He was educated in the district 
schools, and at twenty-one years of age went 
to Ohio and taught school one winter. Feel- 
ing a need of further education, be took a 
course of study in an academy at Milan, 
Huron county, Ohio. After be left the 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



academy, he taught in Michigan aud subse- 
quently in New York. Then he clerked in 
Indiana till 1849, when he was seized with 
the gold fever and started j'or California. He 
landed in San Francisco, in 1850, after an 
uneventful voyage, via Panama. For a short 
time he mined near Coloraa, but was not 
successful, so in the fall of 1850 he came to 
Santa Cruz. Three years he clerked for 
Elihu Anthony in his store. Then, in com- 
pany with another man, he bought or took up 
a farm, and worked it two years. 

In 1857 Mr. Taylor was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Frances E. Robbins, a native 
of Massachusetts, and a daughter of Joseph 
and Sarah (Cutting) Robbins. After his 
marriage he sold his farm and moved to 
town, into an old adobe house. For a while 
he kept a dairy, etc. Then he bought a farm 
at Bay View. In 1862 he was elected Asses- 
sor, and served five terms in succession. 
But five years ago built a comfortable resi- 
dence in Santa Cruz, on Saint Lawrence 
Btreet,where he expects to spend the remain- 
der of his life. He is an active and honored 
member of the Congregational Church; was 
one of the first Deacons, and was the second 
Secretary, when there were but eleven mem- 
bers in Santa Cruz. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor 
have two children: Herbert Nelson, of San 
Francisco, and Miss Frances Harriet. 

fEARK BRAMERS is one of the pros- 
perous farmers of Monterey county 
who have forced their way on to suc- 
cess by dint of their own enterprise and per- 
severance. 

Mr. Bramers is a native of Germany, born 
February 20, 1821. He came to this coun- 
try in 1853, upon his arrival being almost 



penniless. First he located in Lee county, 
Illinois, where he remained four years. The 
following six years he lived in Steele county, 
Minnesota. He came to California in 1864. 
While in Illinois he was married, in 1856, to 
Miss Etta Blohm, also a native of Germany. 
They have two children living, namely: An- 
nie, now Mrs. Fred Batz, of Monterey; and 
Albert J., who married Miss Bertha Menke. 

Mr. Bramers' ranch consists of 700 acres 
of fine grazing and farming land, which is in 
an excellent state of improvement, and on 
which is a fine fruit orchard and vineyard. 
He also owns and operates a threshing ma- 
chine, and in this is doing a good business 
in the neighborhood. His residence is one 
of the finest rural homes in this region of 
Monterey county. 

Politically, Mr. Bramers is a Republican. 

ILLIAM A. SHEPHERD, of Mon- 
terey, California, is a native of Lee 
county, Iowa, born December 23, 
1845. His father, Joseph Shepherd, of San 
Jose, came overland to the Pacific coast in 
1859, from Iowa, where he had for many 
years resided, engaged in farming. He was 
born in Ohio. He brought with him to this 
State his wife and five children, and after 
their arrival here another child was born to 
them. His wife, who before her marriage 
was Jeannette Hendricks, is still living at 
Saratoga, Santa Clara county, the place where 
they first located. 

In 1864 William A. Shepherd enlisted as 
a volunteer in Company H, Second Cavalry, 
and fought the Indians on the plains in the 
region of Paradise valley, at Winnemucca, 
and other places. He enlisted for three years 
service, but served two years only, the war 
having closed. 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



-341 



Retnrniag to Saratoga, he spent two years 
there, after which he located in Tulare 
county, where he remained sixteen years, en- 
gaged in the manufacture of brick. He owned 
a ranch of iiftj acres near Tulare city. In 
1887 he sold out, and bought of D. K. 
Frazier his present ranch, 200 acres. He 
raises hay and stock, and conducts a dairy. 
On his ranch is one of the finest fruit orchards 
in Monterey county, the climate and soil of 
his immediate locality being rich and well 
adapted to fruit culture. 

Mr. Shepherd was united in marriage, at 
San Jose, in 1871, to Miss Rachel Jones, 
daughter of Thomas Jones, a farmer. She is 
a native of Hlinois. Their seven children 
are as follows: Oscar, George, Benjamin, 
Henry, Caroline, Myrta and Walter. 

Mr. Shepherd is a thorough business man, 
and has the confidence of a wide circle of 
acquaintances. 



:ILLIAM HATTON.— This gentle- 
man, who is the owner of the Del 
Monte dairy in Carmel valley, is one 
of the representative men of the State in this 
line of business. 

Mr. Hatton is]a native of County Wicklow, 
Ireland, born June 9, 1849, the fourth in a 
family of eight children. An elder brother, 
Edward, also lives in this county. William 
remained at home until he was thirteen years 
of age, when he went to sea as an apprentice 
on board a merchant ship. He led a seafar- 
ing life seven years. 

Coming to California in 1870, he began 
■work as a dairyman apprentice upon the same 
ranch where his own dairy is now located. 
He worked continuously for the gentle- 
man who owned the dairy at that time. 




Mr. E. St. John, now of Salinas, until 
he bought his interest. He is a man pos- 
sessed of great energy, perseverance and fine 
executive ability, and is considered to-day 
without superior as a practical dairyman. He 
is an enthusiast, and loves his business, which 
probably is one great element of his success. 
Mr. Hatton has the most extensive dairy in- 
terests in the county, and 648 acres of choice 
grain land in Salinas valley. He milks about 
600 cows, and is gradually raising the grade 
of his stock. For six years he has been man- 
ager of the Pacific Improvement Company's 
ranches, dairy and cattle interests, in Mon- 
terey county. 

Mr. Hatton was married, in 1875, to Miss 
Kate Harney, a native of Charleston, South 
Carolina, and a daughter of M. J. Harney, 
deceased. She was born on James Island at 
Fort Sumter. Mr. and Mrs. Hatton have 
seven children, namely: Anna M., Hattie H., 
Sarah J., Edward G., William H., Frank D. 
and Howard. 

Mr. Hatton is a member of Watsonville 
Commandery, Knights Templar, Monterey 
Blue Lodge and Salinas Chapter, lioyal Arch 
Masons. He is also a member of the Mon- 
terey Lodge of I. O. O. F. He is active in 
politics, and takes an interest in all matters 
of local improvement. 

fAMES A. HOKTON is a native of the 
Buckeye State, born at Tifiin, Seneca 
county, September 17, 1849. In early 
life he was inured to hard work on a farm, 
and has been an industrious worker all his 
life. After the usual attendance at the 
public schools, he entered Heidelberg College 
at Tifiin, w'here he remained for some time. 
Mr. Horton came to California in 1869, 



84'J 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



and followed farming in Alameda county 
for six years. In 1875 he moved to Monterey 
connty and located near Castroville, where 
he engaged in stock-raising. In 1888 he 
was elected Sheriff of this county, he being 
the first Eepublican sheriff elected in the 
county in a period of sixteen years. He was 
re-elected by a largely increased majority in 
1890, and is the present incumbent of that 
oflSce. 

In 1880 Mr. Horton was united in mar 
riao-e with Miss Lira M. Grimes, of Mon- 
terey county, and to theiu have been born 
two children. 



fAMES HENRY ROCHE, a California 
pioneer of 1855, now a well-to-do farmer 
near San Juan, in Benito county, was 
born in County Clare, Ireland, March 11, 
1837. His father was a farmer and stock- 
raiser, who emigrated to America in the fall 
of 1847, accompanied by an older son and 
the subject of this sketch. They landed in 
Massachusetts, and James, then about eleven 
years of age, worked in the Fall River Nail 
Works for two bits a day, and was later em- 
ployed in the American Print (Calico) Works, 
in the same place. 

He afterward shipped as seaman on the 
Margaret Evans, a merchant sailing vessel, 
making a trip to Europe, being gone two 
years. On his return, he spent two years at 
home, and then came to California, arriving 
in the latter State in the fall of 1855. The 
following three years he spent mining in 
Union Valley, Plumas, Shasta and Trinity 
counties. He then returned to San Francisco, 
and secured employment from the Bensley 
Water Company, and later, worked for the 
Spring Valley Company. He aided in lay- 
iu": the water main from Seventeen Mile 



House to and in the city of San Francisco. 
He also worked for Morrell Brothers, in the 
same city, and superintended for them, in 
the fall of 1860, the erection of the Coal 
Oil Works at Carpenteria, Santa Barbara 
county. 

In that same year, he went to San Juan 
and acted as foreman on a ranch for J. P. 
Sargent, staying there, off and on, for two 
years and a half. He then commenced farm- 
ing for himself at Sargent Station, San Benito 
county, where he remained one year. He 
then in 1864, removed to the city of San Juan, 
where he entered the wholesale met can- 
tile business. He continued successfully in 
this enterprise until 1868, which was known 
as "small-pox year, "and then closed out his in- 
terests. He then farmed at Paicines, where 
he also started a store, which he conducted 
for two years. At the end of this time, he 
returned to San Juan, where he speculated 
and was engaged in the meat business. He 
took a prominent part in establishing this 
town, where he reuiained for eight years. In 
1878, he left that city and commenced work 
for Dr. Thomas Flint. After three years he 
removed to his present farm of 300 acres, on 
which he proved up about eleven years ago. 

Mr. Roche has served in many prominent 
and useful capacities. When in San Fran- 
cisco, he was an active member of Columbia, 
No. 11, BurtStreet Fire Department, Colum- , 
bia Guards, the Home Guards; in all of which 
he did efficient work. At San Juan, he was 
Marshal three terms; was Deputy Sheriff 
under Thomas Watson, and was one of nine 
who pursued Bundet Vascus for twenty-two 
days in the mountains of Monterey, San Be- 
nito county, into Los Angeles county. He 
also served on the Board of Trustees. In all 
of these trying positions his acts have been 
distinguished for intelligence arid honesty. 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



843 



He was married in Sargent, August 27, 
1863, to Miss Guadalupe, an estimable lady, 
a native of Santa Clara county, and daughter 
of Don Jose Marie Sunches. They have had 
twelve children, six sons and six daughters, 
nine of whom are living. 



fTEPHEN B. GILBERT, Kedwood, 
San Mateo county, California, was born 
in Yates county, .If ew York, in 1825. 
in 1846 he directed his steps toward the West, 
and took up his abode in Mottville, St. 
Joseph county, Michigan; thence to Illinois 
the following year, where he taught school. 
He came to California in 1850, and lived in 
El Dorado county one year, engaged in min- 
ing, subsequently following the same occu- 
pation in Placer county. In 1852 he went 
to San Jose, and several jears later came 
from there to San Mateo county, where he 
has since been interested in agricultural 
pursuits. 

Mr. Gilbert was married in 1859 to Miss 
Ann Walkens, and their union has been 
blessed with three sons and four daughters. 

He has taken an active interest in public 
affairs, and has done his part toward helping 
to advance the growth and development of 
this section of the country. He served the 
county as Surveyor two terms, and in 1867-'78 
was a member of the County Board of 
Supervisors. 



fHARLES AYEPtS.— This venerable 
gentleman was born in Redding, Eng- 
land, March 3, 1829. His father, 
James Ayers, moved from Redding to Wind- 
sor, England, when the subject of our sketch 
was a lad of live years. The father being a 



confectioner and pastry cook, he learned that 
trade from him. 

March 17, 1848, Mr. Ayers set sail from 
his native land for Australia, where he worked 
at his trade and was financially successful. 
In London he was married to Ann Delahny, 
an English lady who was of Irish descent 
and of a Protestant family. Her father 
was a hatter by trade, and was engaged in 
business in London; both her parents being 
natives of that city. She became the mother 
of nine children, two of whom are now living, 
namely: Elizabeth, widow of M. L. Britton; 
and Charles, a plumber by trade. She died 
in 1879. July 30, 1889, Mr. Ayers married 
for his second wife a Miss Laughtry, by 
whom he has one son, J. W. B. Ayers. Mr. 
Ayers has five grandchildren. 

As a pioneer of San Mateo county, he is 
well known. Indeed, he was one of the very 
first business men of Redwood City. He 
built the Fremont Hotel, one of the most 
popular hotels in the county, and has since 
continued to operate it. As a man of in- 
tegrity and square dealing few have a better 
reputation than he. 

fj. SANTOS, a prosperous business 
man and influential citizen of Hollister, 
® California, who has aided materially in 
advancing the best interests of his com- 
munity, was born in Portugal in 1863. His 
early life was passed in his native country, 
the name of which suggests to the ordinary 
mind vast vineyards of sunny grapes, from 
which is expressed the delectable Port wine. 
In 1881 he came to California, which much 
resembles his own beautiful land in topog- 
raphy and products. In 1882 he settled in 
Hollister, in the vicinity of which is a large 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



colony of Portnguese, the majority of whom 
have by frugality aad iudiistry, acquired wealth 
and prosperity, and helped to develop the re- 
sources of San Benito county. Mr. Santos 
engaged for some months in hotel keeping, 
after which he turned his attention to mer- 
chandising, and by industry and persever- 
ance, has placed iiimself in the fro nt rank o^ 
business men of this locality. He is identi- 
fied with nearly all the local public enter- 
prises of Hollister, and is esteemed for his 
intelligence, integrity and uniform courtesy of 
manners. He is President of the Portuguese 
Union, and a member of the A. O. U. W. 

tOSCOE G. NORTON, a prosperous 
farmer and popular citizen of San Ben- 
ito county, California, was born in Som- 
erset county, Maine, Decemlier 5, 1889. He 
resided in his native county until May, 1861, 
when he embarked for the Golden State, via 
the Panama route. His first enterprise on 
the frontier was herding sheep. After accu- 
mulating sufficient means, he bouglit his 
present farm, on which he has continued to 
live for eighteen years. When the adjoining 
city was platted and sold, in 1891, Mr. Nor- 
ton bought forty acres. He also leases 300 
acres in his vicinity, all of which he success- 
fully improves, and is classed among the 
most important farmers of his county. 

Mr. Norton was married August 29, 1889, 
to Miss Mary Merrill, an intelligent lady, a 
native of New Hampshire, and a daughter of 
Robert E. Merrill, now a prosperous stock 
rancher of San Benito county. Mrs. Norton 
came with her parents to California when a 
child. They have one child, Robert Merrill 
Norton, born February 2, 1891. Mr. Nor- 
ton has two sisters in this vicinity, both 



prominent ladies. Elizabeth P. Norton, un- 
married, has been for forty years an educator, 
and is at present teaching school in San Be- 
nito county. The other sister, Mrs. Sarah F. 
Hight, is a widow, residing in Hollister. 

If any doubt prevailed as to the desira- 
bility of locating in California, it would be 
dispelled by the phenomenal success achieved 
by the subject of this biography. 

^ON. GEORGE H. BUCK, an eminent 
fMj jurist and popular citizen of Redwood 
^M City, California, where for many years 
he has acted as Judge of San Mateo county, 
was born in Harrison, Maine, in 1847. He 
received a liberal education and for a time 
had charge of Gorham's Seminary and 
Academy in that State. His mind took a 
legal turn, and believing that the bar afforded 
him an opening, he entered the ofiice of 
Woodbury & Ingalls, of Boston, Massachu- 
setts, as a student of law, and was admitted 
to the bar in 1871. Like most young at- 
torneys, he found it necessary to turn his 
hand to something while studying for his 
profession, and accordingly he became a 
teacher in the Gorham Seminary, where he 
soon rose to be vice-principal. After being in 
this position for some time he went West in 
search of a wider field for his ambition, tak- 
ing with him a letter from the authorities of 
the seminary to the eflect that he was " emi- 
nently well qualified as a teacher and dis- 
ciplinarian." He next settled in Cincinnati, 
and soon became one of the attorneys for the 
Indianapolis. Cincinnati & Lafayette Railroad, 
which position he held for three years, when 
his health compelled him to seek a milder 
climate. Accordingly, in 1875, he came to 
California. In the fall of 1882 he was 




u 




,^ 



ui-^z /J/iixM 



AND &AN MATE) iOUMIEc 



345 



elected District Attorney, succeeding liiin- 
self in the years 188-i, 1886 ami 1888. In 
the fall of 1890 he was elected Judge of San 
Mateo county, to iill an unexpired term, and 
also for the full term of six years, cominenc- 
injj; January 1, 1891. It is a significant fact 
that, although he his bsen a life-long 
Democrat in politics and his district is largely' 
Republican when party lines are drawn, yet 
such are his sterling traits of character and 
professional ability that political preferences 
and prejudices are laid aside at a convention 
or election when the magnetism of his per- 
sonality is exercised. 

Judge Buck was married July 14, 1892, to 
Miss Elizabeth King, an accomplished lady 
of Redwood City, daughter of Henry King 
of that place. 

The Judge belongs to a number of secret 
societies, being a member of Metamora Tribe, 
No. 24, of Redwood City, and was at the 
session of the Great Council held in 1889, 
elevated to the sfnmpof Great Sachem, from 
which position he retired in August, 1890. 
He has also held the fraternal office of Noble 
Gi'and Arch of the United Ancient Order of 
Druids, from whicli office he retired in June, 
1892. 

In the various walks of life Judge Buck 
has always been the same able, unpretentious 
and benevolent gentleman and deservedly 
enjoys the esteem of a large community. 

fS. LIBBY, a well-known and esteemed 
farmer of San Benito county, Califor- 
"* nia, liviTig near Hollister, was born in 
Cumberland, Maine, November 23, 1841. He 
continued to reside in his native place until 
1865, when he emltarked for California. 
Arriving in due time at his destination, he 



first engaged in general farming in Sonoma 
county. Thence, he went to Santa Clara, San 
Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, and finally 
located in San Benito county in the fall of 
1869. He bought out the claim of some 
squatters near Paicines, and he settled on his 
present farm eight years ago. Here, he has 
320 acres, one-half of which is tillable land, 
and cultivated to general farming. Since 
coming to California, Mr. Libby has made 
two trips to his native place, renewing the 
friendships of former years. 

He was married, in P'ebruary, 1884, to 
Miss Susie Frank, an e^timable lady, and a 
former schoolmate of Mr. Libby's. Her 
father was Isaac Frank, a highly respected 
citizen of Cumberland. They have two chil- 
dren: Edith May, born August 27, 1887; 
and Frank, born December 20, 1892. 

Mr. Libby is an active member of the 
Farmers' Alliance, and is an intellirrent and 
highly esteemed citizen. 

fOAQUIN BOLADO.— Among the rep- 
resentative men of San Benito county, 
the subject of this sketch ranks as one 
of the most prominent. He was born in 
Santander, Spain,, one of the provinces of 
Castillala Vieja, or Old Castile, on March 3, 
1822, a son of Valentin and Antonia Bolado. 
His father was an officer in the Spanish army 
at the time of the invasion of Napoleon, and 
after the war retired from the service. He 
was a large land-holder and operator in lands, 
etc. One of his sons is a lawyer in Spain, 
and has held the office of Judge and other 
positions of honor, and is a wealthy man. 
A daughter (sister of our subject) is the wife 
of a large land owner; and the other two are 
unmarried ladies. 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA GEUZ, 



Mr. Joaquin Bolado, the eldest of the 
children in the above family, studied Latin 
under the instructions of a private tutor, and, 
as he became a young rnan, began business 
as a clerk in the shipping and forwarding 
house of his uncle, a prominent man of San- 
tander, Spain, being employed there for three 
years. In 1870, he went to Zacatecas, Mexico, 
wliere he had an uncle living, and secured a 
position in the dry-goods house of Juan de 
la GneiTa, for whom he was engaged for about 
four years. He next entered the employ of 
Watson, Newell & Co., an English firm at 
Zacatecas, and took charge of their bullion 
siiipments to the seaport towns of Mata- 
moras, Mazatlan and sometimes Tampico. 
In this capacity he had under his care im- 
mense sums of money, the account of a sin- 
gle shipment sometimes running up into 
millions of dollars! 

Being thus engaged between the United 
States and Mexico, his duty sometimes took 
him close to the scene of hostilities: and on 
one occasion he was escorted by Captain 
Lewis, Commander of the Texas Rangers, and 
while with that officer met and made the 
acquaintance of General Wool, at Monterey. 
While engaged in one of his periodical trips, 
in 1848, he learned of the discovery of gold 
in California; and, in partnership with Cas- 
anos Bros., of Tepic, he employed about fifty 
Mexicans, including a physician, the inten- 
tion being to utilize the force in digging gold 
in the new fields. All preparations having 
been made, he left San Bias, with his expedi- 
tion, on the schooner Maria, June 26, 1849, 
arrivingat Mon terey, California, after a voyage 
of about sixty-two days. They went to what 
is now Watsonville, secured six carts {cnrretas 
del pais) and went to the Tuolumne river and 
commenced to work the gold placers near 
Major Savage's camp. Their success here, 



however, was not great, and they went to the 
camp at Sonora, where most of the people 
they had brought up from Mexico left them. 

Mr. J3olado returned to San Jose and en- 
gaged in general merchandising, in partner- 
ship. A year afterward he contracted with 
Francisco Pacheca to take the San Luis ranch 
for eight years, in partnership with Kipa 
Pagaza and Castafios, also from Spain. On 
this land they pursued the live-stock busi- 
ness, being very successful, as their profits in 
six years were nearly $200,000! Butchers 
would come to their ranch from points as 
remote as Sonora, Campo Americano, An- 
gel's, etc., while they also found a market in 
San Francisco and elsewhere. He was so en- 
gaged for eight years. 

After withdrawing from business a short 
time he again took a stock ranch, near 
ISTicolaus, between Sacramento and Marys- 
ville, but he sold out there in 1860, went to 
San Francisco and engaged in the commission 
business, on Sansome street, near Pacific, as 
a member of the firm of Sanjurje, Bolado & 
Pujol. Their business -consisted in import, 
ing Havana cigars and in a general trade with 
Mexico and Central America. 

In 1862 Mr. Bolado went witii his wife ou 
a tour to Europe, the trip occupying fourteen 
months, and they visited also the exposition 
at London. 

In 1864 the firm lost 14,000 cattle in San 
Luis Obispo county, and about 1,000 horses 
and 8,000 cattle on tiie Quien Sabe ranch. 
In 1866, after closing the business mentioned, 
Mr. Bolado entered into partnership with 
Mariano Malarin and stocked the San Luis 
ranch. They were associated two or three 
years, and then Mr. Bolado, in company with 
Jose Arques, bought the Santa Ana ranch of 
23,000 acres, for stock purposes. They car- 
ried on the business together for two years, 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



after which tliey sold off 5,000 acres and 
divided the remainder. To his half, Mr. 
Bolado has added by purchase until he now 
has 9,500 acres in this ranch. He has also a 
tract of 1,000 acres six miles east of Hollis- 
ter, which is fine farming land. He also has 
banking interests in San Francisco, is a 
director of the Farmers & Merchants' Bank 
of Hollister, and president of the Farmers' 
Warehouse Company, at Tres Pinos. 

He is in no sense a politician, but votes 
with the Democratic pary. Socially, he is a 
member of the San Francisco Society of 
California Pioneers, and of the Odd Fellows 
lodge at Hollister. 

He was married February 2, 1857, to Miss 
Julia Abrego, a native of Monterey, Cali- 
fornia, and a daughter of Jose and Josepha 
(Esti'ada) Abrego. Her mother was a sister 
of Governor Alvarado, and the father was a 
merchant from the city of Mexico; the latter 
settled at Monterey, and there held the post 
of Treasurer for the Grovernment of Mexico 
Mrs. Bolado died January 10, 1891, in San 
Francisco. By this marriage there were four 
children, thi-ee of whom died at an early age. 
Their living child, Julia, is the wife of Gas- 
ton Ashe, of San Francisco. 



tBNER BASSETT, deceased, was a 
pioneer of California. He came to the 
State in 1849. He was born in Maine, 
October 13, 1823, and he was one of twins, 
having a twin sister, Jane, now Mrs. Bernice 
Burden, living near Fall River, Mississippi. 
Abner Bassett was a son of Jonathan and 
Sarah Bassett, of Fall River. His father was 
by trade a stonecutter, and did an extensive 
quarry business. 

Abner and his twin sister were the fourth 



born of the family, they being born October 
13, 1823. He married Miss Mary Ann Tur- 
ner, a daughter of Ralph Turner, a calico 
"block" printer by trade, and for several years 
he was the keeper of the United States tavern 
at Beivadier, Massachusetts, near Boston. 

In 1849 Mr. Bassett came to California, 
went into the mines and engaged in contract- 
ing and building in partnership with J. S. 
Emery, now of Oakland, California, and they 
did an extensive business. They also built 
by contract for the Government tiie dry-dock 
on Mare Island, taking the granite rock for 
the same by water on a private ship from 
Point Lobos, south of Monterey. It was the 
use of the granite rock that led the purchasers 
(which were themselves) of the Rancho San 
Jose y Sur Cliiquito, one of the most valuable 
places in Monterey county. 

Our subject's trip to California was made 
via Cape Horn, on the bark Maliery, which 
lie and his brother Alfred, with a company, 
purchased, loaded with stores, and sailed from 
New York. The voyage to San Francisco 
harbor, covered a period of seven months. 

Mrs. Bassett, August 8, 1853, arrived in 
San Francisco, following her husband by the 
same route on the clipper Shooting Star, 
bringing with her her son "William T., then 
five years old. Mrs. Bassett was on the sea 
continuously for four months and twenty.-two 
days. The clipper was not a passenger ship 
and the party comprised the captain, with his 
bride, Mrs. Bassett and her son, and three 
others, including her brother, James Turner. 

For nine years the family made their home 
in San Francisco. They then lived twenty- 
three years in Virginia City, Nevada, when 
Mr. Bassett had his exhausted mining inter- 
ests, and with J. S. Emery erected one of the 
first quartz mills that crushed ore on the 
Comstock lead. 



3t8 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



He was a luan of great energy and executive 
ability. He had broad ideas of business, and 
was successful iu his undertakings. He died 
September 22, 1870, in the prime of his life. 
Mrs. Bassett still survives, and is in good 
health, and lives at Pacific Grove, Monterey 
county. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bassett had six sons and two 
daughters, as follows: William Thomas, who 
was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, June 
4, 1848, and is now a member of Company 
F, cavalry, of the United States Army; Alice 
Annet, born in San Francisco, June 8, 1854, 
and is now a resident of that city; Edward, 
and Abner, born March 1, 1857, the first 
white twins born in the Golden Gate City; 
Edward is foreman of a coal mine, and Ab- 
ner is now superintendent of the Carmelo 
Land and Coal Company of Monterey. He 
was reared in Virginia City, Nevada, and be- 
came an expert mining engineer, and managed 
the construction of the most extensive mine 
shafts in the Comstock lead mines, one beino- 
3,368 feet deep — the deepest perpendicular 
shaft in the world. He married Catherine 
Mahoney March 9, 1888; she is a native of 
New York. They have one son, Edward 
Franklyn, born at Pacific Grove, California, 
March 19, 1890. The next born in Mr. Bas- 
sett's family is Mary Watt, born also in San 
Francisco, March 12, 1859, and is now living 
in that city, married; Charles, born also in 
that city, April 16, 1861, learned locomotive 
engineering and was employed in this capacity 
by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company 
until 1882; next for a time he ran stationary 
engines, and later pursued mining in Idaho 
from 1884 to 1888, when he disposed of his 
mining interests and is now living at Hailey, 
Alturas county, Idajio. He married in Idaho 
Miss Brella S. Stone, a native of Humboldt 
county, California, and they have one dauo-h- 



ter, Bessie, born May 22, 1883. Frank, the 
youngest of Mr. Bassett's children, was born 
at Virginia City, Nevada, March 30, 1867, 
died at Ketchum, Alturas county, Idaho, De- 
cember 26, 1888, of typhoid pneumonia. 



r-^%- 



|mLEXANDER P. BOYD was born in 
'iWk Orange county, New York, September 
^=4^ 80, 1825, son of Alexander Boyd. In 
his father's family were five sons and two 
daughters, all of whom are still living except 
two sons The parents were also natives of 
Orange county, and each lived to the advanced 
age of eighty-seven years. 

After attaining his majority, the subject 
of our sketch went to New York city and was 
there employed as clerk in a drug store for 
six years. Early in 1852 he started from 
New York for California, by way of Cape 
Horn, and arrived at San Francisco on the 
1st of September of that year. From San 
Francisco he went to Sacramento, where for 
two years he clerked in a hardware store. He 
then sought the mines and was engaged in 
mining two years. We next find him at 
Oroville, where he conducted a hardware 
business twelve years. At the end of that 
time he disposed of his interests there and 
returned to his old home in New York. On 
this return trip he had the pleasure of being 
one of the first passengers to go East from 
this coast by rail. After a sojourn of about 
six months amid the scenes of his early life, 
he returned to California, coming direct to 
Hollister, then Monterey county. This was 
in 1869. He then began dealing in lumber, 
in which he is still extensively engaged, and 
now controls the lumber business iu this part 
of the country. 

Mr. Boyd was married, in 1876, to Miss 



AMD SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



Mattie Chapman, and has one daughter, 
Grace, aged fourteen years. As a business 
man and citizen, Mr. Boyd stands high in the 
community where he has so long resided. 

gENAS CHUECHILL. — Tlie well- 
known citizen whose name heads this 
sketch is a resident of Tres Pinos and 
come to California in 1864. Few have been 
more active and successful in the develop- 
ment of the material resources of the county 
than he. He was born in the town of 
Alexandria, Genesee county, New York, 
November 2, 1819, and there lived until 
1828. His parents then removed to Aldeu) 
Erie county, New York, where they remained 
until 1833, and then spent six years near 
Avon Springs, in Livingston county, same 
State. Our object spent his early youth and 
manhood in Macon, Kane and De Kalb coun- 
ties, Illinois. When a mere boy he was the 
first to mount the first bent, a portion of the 
first building, a tavern that was built in the 
present city of Sycamore, De Kalb. 

The father of our subject, also Zenas, was 
a farmer by occupation and a natural- born 
mechanic. His wife was Alinira Castle, and 
they were both natives of Massachusetts. 
These two had ten children, of whom one, 
Enos, an inventor, is at San Jose; another, a 
daughter, is in Illinois; and another daughter 
is in Iowa; both daughters are married; these, 
with our subject, constitute the survivors of 
this once large family. 

Upon coming to California, Mr. Churchill 
operated a threshing machine, and later fol- 
lowed mercantile pursuits at San Jos^ until 
18(56. He then, by searching the Government 
records at San Francisco, ascertained the ex- 
istance of the Government lands in San 



Benito county, and took up his present place 
near Tres Pinos. He now owns 212 acres of 
choice land, upon which he has developed 
one of the finest nurseries and farms in the 
State. He has demonstrated the practicability 
of raising plums, peaches and apples without 
irrigation. While he has proven that it can 
be done in his immediate locality, he does 
not assume that it can be done in all others. 
About forty acres of his farm is set to a 
variety of fruits. The beautiful nursery 
contains a fine variety of ornamental and 
fancy shade trees, beside a full stock of fruit 
trees. He has about 10,000 assorted table- 
grape vines. His farm is in a fine state of 
cultivation. 

Our subject married, in 1846, Miss Marion 
Parker, a daughter of Arza Parker, a farmer 
of Illinois. Mrs. Churchill died October 28, 
1891, leaving two sons and one daughter. 



fAPTAIN J. B. R. COOPER.— Captain 
John Bautista Roger Cooper was born 
on the Island of Alderney, England, in 
1792, and came to the United States, when a 
boy, with his mother. He followed the sea 
from an early age, and came to California as 
master of his own vessel, the Rover, in 1823. 
Although he sold his vessel to Governor 
Arguello, he continued in command of her, 
making trips to China and elsewhere. Be- 
coming acquainted with the Vallejo family, 
he first asked the hand in marriage of one of 
the daughters. Dona Magdalena, who refused 
him, though her father favored the match. 
On his return from his next voyage, and on 
the same day of his arrival, she came from 
the San Cdrlos Mission, having just been 
married to Don Antonio del Valle, and that 
evening he danced " la Jota Ynglesa" with 



350 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRDZ, 



her at her father's house. Afterward, he 
made love to and, in 1827, married her 
younger sister, Dona Encarnacion, with the 
consent of her father, who highly esteemed 
him. Padre Ramon Abelle was the priest 
who married them. 

Captain Cooper continued his seafaring 
life for many years; eventually, however, he 
acquired land, and gradually quit the sea, 
although from 1839 to 1844 he made many 
trips to the Mexican coast and to the Islands, 
in command of a vessel belonging to the 
Government called tlie California. In 1846 
he made a voyage to Peru, and in 1849 
he went as master of the Eveline to China. 
In one of liis earlier voyages to China on the 
Rover, under a contract with the Governor 
(Argnello), owner of the vessel. Captain 
Cooper became involved in a lawsuit with 
the Governor; the matter was finally referred 
to arbitrators, whose decission was that 
Captain Cooper was entitled to $5,000. From 
1850 until some time in the '60s, Captain 
Corper lived with his family in Monterey, 
where he was greatly liked by his neighbors, 
About the year 1865 he moved to San Fran- 
cisco, where he died in 1872, and where his 
family still resides. 

Captain Cooper was a half-brother of 
Thomas O. Larkin, their mother having 
been twice married. 

There were born to the Coopers six children, 
three of whom are still living: Juan Ban- 
tista, Henrique, Ana Maria Guadalupe (Mrs. 
Wohler), and Amelia (Mrs. Molera). 

Mrs. Cooper is eighty-two years of age 
(1892), and is still in the enjoyment of ex- 
cellent health. Although her home is in 
San Francisco, she, with her daughters, 
makes a visit each summer to the old historic 
capital, Monterey, where she was born and 
lived so many years, and where, in her 



youthful days she was a belle. The family 
still retain the old homestead which Captain 
Cooper built so many years ago, and they 
also retain their large land holdings in the 
county. 

Mrs. Cooper's parents were Don Ygnacio 
Vallejo, sarjento distinguidio, and his wife. 
Dona Maria Antonia Lugo, who had thirteen 
children; they were, in the order of seniority: 

Ysidora, who married Soberanes; Josefa, 
who was married three times, first to Alvar- 
ado, then to Estrada, and afterward to Ma- 
dariaga; Magdalena, who married Antonio 
del Valle; Juana, unmarried; Prudenciana, 
who married Jose Amesti; Geronima En- 
carnaciog, who became the wife of Captain 
Cooper: Rosalie, who married Jacob P. Leese; 
Maria de Jesus, who married Honorato For- 
toul; JoB^ de Jesus, who married Ortego; 
Mariano Guadalupe (the General), who 
married Carrillo; Salvador, who married 
Carr'llo; Juan Antonio, unmarried; and 
Ygnacio, unmarried. 

Both the Cooper and Vallejo families have 
tilled a large place in the early history of 
California. 



mHOMAS L. BALDWIN, a pioneer of 
^M California, one of the organizers of San 
^ Benito county, and an influential citizen 
of Hollister, was born in Morgan county, 
East Tennessee, September 20, 1828. 

In 1833 the Baldwin family moved to 
Missouri, and on his father's farm in that 
State the subject of our sketch spent his early 
life. In May of that year, 1850, he started 
from St. Joseph, Missouri, with ox teams on 
the overland journey for California, being 
accompanied by John Westbrook, Frank 
Vaughn, and his brother, D. C. Baldwin. 
Arrivitig in the Golden State, they spent a 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



brief time in the mines at Placerville, El 
Dorado county, and from there went to Ne- 
vada county, where they engaged in raining 
and merchandising until 1869. In September 
of that year Mr. Baldwin came to Hollister, 
and, in partnership with H. M. Hayes, en- 
gaged in the general merchandise business, 
and in 1874 purchased his partner's interest. 
He was elected president of the San Benito 
County Bank, which position he filled most 
efficiently. Subsequently he re-engaged in 
the merchandise business, under the firm 
name of Baldwin & GrifFetli, remaining so 
occupied until December, 1882. Since that 
time he has been ranching, buying and selling 
grain and doing a general warehouse business. 
He owns three ranches, one a stock ranch on 
which are found tine cattle. In public affairs 
he has taken an active part, being in politics 
a Republican. 

Mr. Baldwin was married in 1855, and has 
four children living. 

TOMASINI is a native of Northern 
Switzerland, born in Canton Ticino, 
* July 31, 1851. In 1868, at the age 
of seventeen years, he came to America with 
twenty-four of his countrymen, and took up 
his abode in California. Born and reared 
on a dairy farm, Mr. Tomasini was thoroughly 
acquainted with the business in its every de- 
tail, and after his arrival in California he 
worked on a dairy in Marin county three 
years. He then engaged in the busines on 
his own responsibility, and from that time 
has continuously followed the same occupa- 
tion; of later years on a comparatively large 
scale, keeping at times as many as 200 cows. 
He purchased a government claim of ninety 
acres in Carmel valley, Monterey county, in 




1875, and is improving the same as a fruit 
ranch. He has been very successful in his 
undertakings, and is regarded by all who 
know him as an honorable and upright man. 
Mr. Tomasini was married in 1875 to Miss 
Concepcion Soberanes, who was born Decem- 
ber 8, 1858, daughter of Mariano Soberanes, 
the place of her nativity being Monterey. 
Her father is a highly respected citizen of 
Carmel valley. A. notice of him appears else- 
where in this work. The children born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Tomasini are: Christiana, David, 
Deo, Flora and Alma W. 

fOHN HARNEY, a prosperous dairyman 
of Monterey county, and a resident of 
Carmel valley, has lived in California 
since 1881. He is a native of Charleston, 
South Carolina, born December 18, 1858. In 
early life he learned the trade of printer, and 
followed the same as a press operator in New 
York city for about six years. Upon his 
arrival in California, he abandoned his trade, 
and commenced work on a dairy ranch for 
William Hutton. In 1889 he embarked in 
the business for himself in Carmel valley, 
keeping about 120 cows. 

Mr. Harney's early life was one of peculiar 
hardship, and somewhat eventful. At a tender 
age he was left fatherless, upon the breaking 
out of the late rebellion. His widowed mother 
with several children lived only one mile 
from Fort Sumter, where hostilities com- 
menced, and the family suffered all the hard- 
ships incident to civil warfare. He grew up 
at Charleston, and aided in the support of 
the family until he went North. He is a 
self-made man, honorable and industrious, 
and is highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens. 
December 25, 1885, he married Miss Eliza 



MnNTERET, SAN BENITO', SANTA OllUZ, 



Vazquez, a daugliter of Don Antonio Vas- 
quez. Tliey liave three children, Joan M., 
Jr., Eliza, and Mary Constance. Mrs. Harney 
is a lady of domestic accoinplishinents, re- 
tired and unatsnniino; in her manner. 

IPSKNDKKSON P.KOWN, well known 
TO)) throntrhoiit S.iii Benito connty as a pio- 
tStll near and the first settler of Brown's 
valley, is a pioneer of the State, of 1850. He 
crossed the plains with an ox team, from St. 
Joseph, Missonri, ami reached Ringgold, 
Placer county, August 22, of that same year. 
He was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, 
October 14, 1830. His father, William 
lirown, was a native of Virginia and was 
reared in the hills of the Blue Ridge mount- 
ains. He was a farmer and a pioneer of 
Mercer county, Kentucky, where he lived 
many years. His deaih occurred, April 25, 
1800, when he was eighty-eight years of age, 
in Monroe connty, Missouri. Ho had a fam- 
ily of eight cliililrcn and Henderson was the 
fourth. 

Our subject was twenty years of agt when 
he camo to California. He was a fair sample 
of a vigorous young man, both mentally and 
physically and full of hope and ambition. He 
engaged in mining aliout tiiree years, on the 
middle fork of the American river, and then 
engaged in farming and stock-raising. He 
bought o.xen of the immigrants as they ar- 
rived in California, and after allowing them to 
have free range on the open ground near 
Sacramento city he sold them for beef, some- 
times receiving as much as $154 for them. 
Mr. Brown continued to reside in Sacra- 
mento county, until 1867, when he removed 
to Yolo county and continued his business. 
In the spring of 1869 he located in Brown's 



valley and removed his family there the fol- 
lowing fall. This is a pretty, fertile valley, 
lying in the mountains, abciut sixteen miles 
northeast of Hollister, near i'aicines, and 
comprises about 2,109 acres. In 1887 our 
subject purchased 100 acres of land adjoining 
the city of Ilollibter, of which there is no 
better soil in San Benito county. 

Our sul»ject was married, in 1853, to Sarah 
R. Moore, a native of Missouri, who died, 
January 18, 1874, leaving four children, 
namely: Joseph E., Laura E., William II. 
and Lucella E. Mr. Brown married in 1875, 
in San Joaquin county. Miss Sarassada, 
a daughter of Beter Baker, a native of 
Indiana. She is a lady of business tact and 
force of character and she has four children, 
viz.: Lola, Clyde, Ethel and Gladys. 



fNDREW ABIJE, for many years a resi- 
dentof San Juan, is one of the pio- 
neers of California, and as such is en- 
titled to some personal mention in this 
work. 

Mr. Abbe was born in Orange county. New 
York, March 7, 1828. In 1850 he came to 
this coast, making the journey via Panama, 
aijd upon his arrival here engaged in min- 
ing in the vicinity of Sacramento. He re- 
turned East in 1852, b ubsequently came 
back to California and to San Juan, and 
began stock-raising near Fremont's Peak. 
Later, with a partner, he engaged in staging 
and freighting between New Idria mines 
and San Jos6. He was one of the first set- 
tlers of the Hollister grant. 

October 1, 1857, Mr. AUbe married Miss 
Mary Berry, a native of Lynnville, Iowa. 
Her parents were both of Kentucky birth, 
and her mother lived to the advanced age of 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



853 



eighty-two years and died in California. Mrs. 
AbWe departed this life at San Juan October 
12, 1884. Following are the names of their 
fourteen children: William A., who died at 
the age of seven years; Olive B., wife of A. 
L. Waters; Frank B., of whom more exten- 
sive mention is made elsewhere in this work; 
George E. ; Frederick N., a member of the 
firm of Abbe Brothers, San Jnan; Mary C, 
deceased; Angle L., Susie M., Eleanor F., 
Charles H., Mabel C, Walter, Lois E. and 
Clara E. 

Mr. Abbe is one of the old-time settlers of 
San Juan, where he has a typical California 
home, comprising eighteen acres, and where 
he enjoys the comforts of life and has the es- 
teem of a wide circle of friends. 

fj. BUllT, a worthy inember of the bar 
of Santa Clara county, has been a resi- 
" dent of California since 1873, having 
come to this State from Alabama. 

Mr. Burt was born in Talladega county, 
Alabama, September 29, 1852, eon of J. C. 
Burt, a planter, merchant and mill owner of 
the town of Talladega, the county seat of that 
county. He was educated at the university at 
Virginia, graduating in the law department 
of that institution in 1872. He first practiced 
his profession in San Jose, California, devot- 
ing his entire time thereto for about twelve 
years. His ability as a lawyer is acknowl- 
edged in the courts in the State, and his en- 
terprise and push as a business man have won 
for him the admiration of the citizens of San 
Benito county. He has recently interested 
himself in the development of the Cienega 
limestone deposit in this country, mention of 
which may be found elsewhere in this work. 

Mr. Burt was married May 29, 1876, to 



Miss Sallie B., daughter of Robert Webb. 
Her father died on the Isthmus of Panama, 
while in Government service and en route to 
California to establish a United States mint 
at San Francisco. Mr. Burt is a native of 
New Orleans. They have six children: Fan- 
nie, Marion, Shirley, JN'ettio, Madaline and 
John. 



fP. BRYANT, a pioneer of California 
and. an esteemed citizen of San Benito 
^ county, post olHce Mulberry, was born 
in Clark county, Kentucky, July 24, 1821. 
He was reared a farmer, and in 1850 came 
from his native State to California, landing 
in Sacramento on the 27th of August. For 
several years he lived in Yolo county, and 
from there went to Sonoma county, where he 
remained until 1868. That year he came to 
San Benito county. He lived in Bear Valley 
three years and in HoUister twelve years. He 
located his jjresent farm on San Benito creek 
in 1889. 

Mr. liryant was married, in Missouri, in 
1854, to Miss Angeline Ashcraft, a native of 
Kentucky. They have two daughters: AUie, 
wife of S. B. Hubbel; and Emily M., wife of 
F. W. Tripiett. 

fH. KENT, deceased. — The subject of 
this brief sketch came to California, in 
* 1852. He was a native of Harrison 
county, Ohio, born January 28, 1812. He 
was a farmer and stock- raiser by occupation 
and upon arrival in California, first located 
in Sutter county. Later he lived in Sacra- 
mento county, at Elk Grove, where he owned 
a large farm of 350 acres. Mr. Kent was a 
man of exemplary habits, good business 



354 



MONTE RE r, iSAJSI BENITO, SANTA CRUZ 



ability, strict integrity and left behind him a 
large circle of friends to mourn his loss, when 
he passed away, September 13, 1884. 

Mr. Kent married, in Knox county, Illi- 
nois, February 24, 1831, Miss Martha M. 
Gray, a native of Richland county, Ohio, 
a daughter of Henry and Margareta Gray, 
her father a farmer of Knox county, Illinois. 
He was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to 
America, when a lad of nineteen. As he 
possessed a fair business education he filled 
various clerical positions and finally married 
and located in Knox county. Mrs. Gray was 
born in 1800 and is still living, with her chil- 
dren. 

Mrs. Kent accompanied her late husband 
across the plains, driving the team long dis- 
tances herself. She is a lady of excellent 
parts and executive ability, and since her hus- 
band's untimely death has assumed charge of 
the estate. Mr. and Mrs. Kent had one son, 
W. H. Kent, now deceased, and a daughter, 
who died at twelve years of age. In 1887 
Mrs. Kent removed to Pacific Grove, where 
she has since lived, surrounded by a wide 
circle of appreciative friends. 



fAVlD WEBSTER.— Mr. Webster came 
to California from the Province of On- 
tario, Candida, in 1867. He is a native 
of Ayrshire, Scotland, where he was born, 
October 14, 1835. His father, D. W. Web- 
ster, was a weaver by trade and reared a 
family of five sons and six daughters, and of 
those eleven children the subject of this 
sketch is the second born. His parents emi- 
grated to Canada in 1842, where our subject 
was reared, engaging in farming pursuits 
during his boyhood. 

Upon reaching San Francisco he sought 



and found work in the country. In 1872 he 
leased land on the Cooper ranch, near Castro- 
ville, where he carried on a successful busi- 
ness until the winter of 1890, when he pur- 
chased a farm of 132^^ acres, near Salinas, one 
of the best farms in that locality, and here he 
now resides. 

Mr. Webster stands high in the estimation 
of his community, and his prosperity is due 
to his untiring industry and thrifty hus- 
bandry. 

He was married in 1866, to Mrs. Elizabeth 
Warnock (a widow with three sons), by 
whom he has one son and two daughters, 
namely: David A., Mary Ellen and Agnes J. 



JH S. TRIMMER, M. D., is a representa- 
ffrafj tive citizen of Pacific Grove and a 
■'i^'* leading physician of Monterey county. 
He is a native of Niagara county. New 
York, where he was born, December 8, 1833. 
His parents were pioneers in Ohio, where 
they lived for many years, and from that 
State Dr. Trimmer came to California, in 
1873. 

Dr. Trimmer received his early education 
in the public schools of his Ohio home, and 
later took a course of study at Kingsville 
Academy, and then assisted his father in the 
lumber business, and later taught school. In 
1858 he took up the study of medicine and 
in pursuit of this attended the Michigan 
University, at Ann Arbor, and still later 
attended the Cleveland, Ohio, Medical Col- 
lege and from there received his diploma, in 
1864. He then entered upon the practice of 
his profession at Pierpont, Ashtabula county, 
Ohio, and there continued until he came to 
the coast as aforesaid. 

Dr. Trimmer located at Salinas, where he 



AND HAN MATEO COUNTIES, 



355 



enjoyed a large professional practice, and the 
confidence and esteem of the public. Dur- 
ing his fifteen years' residence at Salinas he 
was elected on the City Board of Councilmen, 
took an active official part in the public ad- 
ministration of the public schools, and held 
the offices of County Coroner and Public Ad- 
ministrator. He took up his residence in 
Pacific, in 1888, where he has largely in- 
vested in realty, and is here recognized as a 
substantial and influential citizen. Upon the 
incorporation of the cits of Pacific Grove, Dr. 
Trimmer was elected a Councilman and 
chosen Chairman, which office he still holds. 
In 1859 Dr. Trimmer was married, to Miss 
Rodah Benjamin, a lady of intellectual accom- 
plishments and social culture. Their family 
residence on Laurel avenue is one of the 
most spacious and elegant in its appointments 
in Monterey county. Dr. Trimmer is a 
member of Sausal A. O. U. W., Fraternal 
Lodge, Salinas I. O. O. F., Salinas Lodge, 
No. 204, F. & A. M., Royal Arch and 
Chapter, No. 95, Watsonville Commandery, 
Knight Templars, No. 22, and the Order of 
Eastern Star, No. 47. 

fHARTNELL. — In writing the biogra- 
phy of this gentleman, one touches 
® the link which connects with honor- 
able prominence the first of the Anglo-Saxon 
residents in Monterey county with the Amer- 
ican occupation of the State, since his father, 
William E. P. Hartnell, a native of England, 
settled in this county as early as 1822. He 
was an accomplished man of letters, as well 
as a far-seeing, enterprising business man. 
In order to afford more complete detail of his 
life we have given his history in a part on 
another page of this work. 



His son, U. Hartnell, was born February 
20, 1843, on the Alisal ranch, six miles east 
of Salinas, Monterey county. Young Hart- 
nell's mother, Maria Teresa de la Guerra,came 
of a family of wealth and prominence in 
Spain, and which, in the early occupation 
and settlement of California, figures honor- 
ably. Her father, Jose Antonio de la Guerra 
y Noriega, was coinandante of Santa Bar- 
bara as early as 1822, and left a name as 
locally historic in the southern portion of 
California as it was of eminent worth and 
distinction in the annals of Spain. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on 
the ranch, enjoying all the freedom and de- 
light which the patriarchal condition of the 
period afforded to the sons of large rancheros, 
and extending and partaking of the hospi- 
tality which caused California at this time 
to be regarded as a veritable Arcadia. His 
early education was received under the 
guidance of his sister. In 1854 he removed 
to the rancho of Todos Santos, Santa Bar- 
bara. His father dying here, he returned to 
the homestead in 1859, still continuing his 
studies, aided in his acqusition of the English 
language by a private tutor. Between 1863 
and 1868 he found occupation as a clerk in 
Santa Clara. Returning to the ranch in Mon- 
terey county, he settled down as farmer and 
stock-raiser, continuing thus engaged until 
1879, when he was chosen County Treasurer, 
which office he has filled ever since. At the 
election of 1890 his success as a candidate 
was 80 universally conceded that no opponent 
could be found to enter the lists against him. 
His bond during hia first years of office, when 
the duties of treasurer were combined with 
those of tax collector, was a heavy one, being 
$220,000, and in itself exhibits his personal 
standing for probity in the community. 

Mr. Hartnell is singularly happy in his 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



domestic life. He was married in 1877 to 
Miss Ellen F. Blaine, of Dayton, Ohio, and 
his family circle is brightened with the pres- 
ence of two daughters. In his private life, as 
well as in his ofiicial dealings with the pub- 
lic, it may be said of Mr. Hartnell, that in 
the courtesy and amiability which character- 
ize him, together with his direct business 
habits, he combines the best leading traits of 
the two nations from which lie descended. 



3f SAAC MYLAR, one of the pioneers of 
|o California, came to the State in 1850, in 
^ company with five brothers, Enoch, Frank, 
Israel, James L. and Thomas, crossing the 
plains. They drove full teams, coming via Car- 
son valley cut-off, reachiug the State at Wea- 
versville, near Hangtown. The subject and 
one brother are the only ones now living of 
the six brothers who braved the hardships of 
pioneer life. 

Isaac Mylar was born in Kentucky. His 
father, James, was a fanner and his mother, 
Henriette Jet, was a native of Virginia. The 
subject is the second youngest of the six 
children born to these parents, being born 
December 24, 1827. The family resided for 
about eight years in Utica, Fulton county, 
Illinois, from which place they made their 
way to Andrew county, Missouri, and came 
to California in 1850. 

Our subject engaged in mining upon ar- 
rival in California and continued in the oc- 
cupation until 1855, when he settled down to 
agricultural pursuits. In 1847 and 1848 he 
served in the Mexican war as a soldier of the 
Third Missouri Volunteers, and is now a 
Mexican pensioner. For several years Mr. 
Mylar resided near San Juan, but in 1872 he 
located in Peach Tree valley, on San Lorenzo 



creek, and he has unearthed on his land one 
of the finest deposits of bitumen that has yet 
been discovered in the State. It is being 
shippjd to San Francisco by rail for street 
paving purposes. 

In 1849 Mr. Mylar married Miss Talitha 
Wooley, born in Franklin county, Illinois. 
They have six daughters and one son, namely: 
Thomas J.; Josephine, Mrs. Simon Gold water 
of San Lucas; Henriette, Mrs. Dr. H. D. 
Livingston, of King City; Mary J., Mrs. 
George E. Pullen, living near King City; 
Emma, Mrs. Frank Hitchcock, of HoUister; 
Clara and Minnie at home. The family is 
well known in Monterey and San I^enito 
county for their integrity and hospitality. 



fOHN FOSTER ROOT, Mulberry, San 
Benito county, California, is ranked with 
the pioneers of this State. Of his life 
and parentage we make the following brief 
record : 

Mr. Root is a son of Jeremiah and Emeline 
(Davis) Root, whose family in 1849, the time 
they came to California, was composed of 
the following members: Alroy, now deceased; 
Almiran, of Parrot City, Colorado; George, 
ofGilroy; Spencer, of Lompoc; Ann, wife of 
Jacob Roberts; and John F., the subject of 
our sketch. They entered California via 
Placerville, and immediately went to Green- 
wood valley, Placer county, where they built 
the first hotel in that vicinity. In 1851 the 
entire family returned to Iowa, where they 
had lived from 1843 until they came to the 
far West. After going back to Iowa the 
mother died and the father married Sophrona 
(Culp) Near, widow of Christ Near. In 1853, 
just after this second marriage, he again 
started with his family for California, coming 



AND SAN WATEO COUNTIES. 



357 



across the plains with ox teams. Arriving 
here, they located at the village of Haywards, 
Alameda county, California, and some years 
later moved to Santa Rosa. At this writing, 
1892, the father is still liviug, having reached 
the advanced age of ninety-two years, and is 
hale and hearty. 

John Foster Root was engaged in mining 
until 1866. That year he settled in Monterey 
county. In 1868 he took up his abode in 
the beautiful Long valley, being the first 
settler of that valley. He was instrumental 
in locating thirteen thrifty families therein. 
In 1874 he came to his present place at 
Elvina station, where he has 274 acres of 
tillable land, adapted to iarming and fruit 
culture. 

Mr. Root was married in 1856 to Miss 
Annie Gulp, a native of Pennsylvania, and a 
daughter of Daniel Gulp, deceased. They 
have two sons, George W. and John B. 



IPSON. N. A. DORN.— This gentleman^ 
IHl ^^'^ "°^^ ^''* ^^^ responsible position 
^fil of Superior Judge, is a native of Coun- 
cil Bluffs, Iowa, born May 27, 1852. When 
almost a year old he crossed the plains to 
Galifornia with his parents, and hence is not 
far removed by age and circumstances from 
the distinction of being a " Native Son." 
On arriving in Galifornia, the family first 
located near Watsonville, in the Pajaro val- 
ley. Most alluring tidings of the fortunes so 
readily acquired in the mines reached the 
new immigrants, and again they were on the 
move, pushing forward to the mines of Mari- 
posa county. After spending nearly four 
years in this exciting pursuit, the family 
went to Visalia for a short time, then to Los 
Angeles, and finally took up their abode near 



Marysville. At the latter place they remained 
eight years, young Dorn making himself use- 
ful on the farm and inuring himself to that 
sturdy labor, to which, no doubt, he is greatly 
indebted for his fine physicjne. On leaving 
Marysville, he accompanied the family to 
Santa Gruz, where he passed one year. After 
that they located permanently at Pajaro, 
Monterey county. Dnring nearly all of this 
period of unsettled habitation, the subject of 
our sketch was availing himself of every op- 
portunity for instruction by attending such 
schools as the various localities could afford, 
or when work on the farm would permit of 
his attending them. AVitli a keen desire for 
knowledge, stimulated perhaps by his chagrin 
at the sparse opportunites for obtaining it, 
he set himself diligently to the task of self- 
instruction, reading whatever he could find 
in his spare moments, so that on reaching his 
majority he passed an examination as teacher, 
and was employed for two years as teacher in 
Santa Gruz and Monterey counties. 

Through all these years young Dorn's 
chief aspiration was to become a lawyer. 
With this end in view, he entered the office 
of Judge Lawrence Archer, of San Jose, and 
after a course of study was admitted to prac- 
tice by the Supreme Court of the State, Oc- 
tober 13, 1874. Thus fortified by his chosen 
profession, he came to Salinas and waited for 
business. He was not, however, obliged to 
wait long, for clients came, and so successful 
was he with the cases intrusted to him that 
he was chosen District Attorney in 1875, and 
for a second term of the same office in 1880. 
Retiring from this position with a record, of 
which any young practitioner might be proud, 
he associated himself with Judge W. M. R. 
Parker, of Salinas, in the practice of law, a 
partnership which continued till he was elected 
Superior Judge of Monterey county in 1890, 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CUUZ, 



defeating Hon. John K. Alexander, and 
strengthening the forces of the Republican 
party by the popularity of his name at the 
head of the county ticket. 

In 1873 Judge Dorn was married in San 
Jose to Miss Josephine McCusker, and has a 
promising family of six children. 



tLLEN L. LUCE, a leading citizen of 
Pacific Grove, and for many years the 
trusted keeper of Point Piuos light- 
house, is a native of Georgia, born May 8, 
1844. His father was a jeweler by trade and 
occupation; was a native of Martha's Vine- 
yard; lived at Macon, Georgia, where he pur- 
sued his calling, and died, his death occurring 
when Allen was an infant. His mother, who, 
by maiden name was Sarah A. Brent, was 
born in Louisiana, a daughter of the Hon. 
William M. Brent, an eminent member of 
the Louisiana bar, and a leading and success- 
ful politician, havingseveral times represented 
his State in the United States Congress. After 
Mr. Luce's death the widow and son removed 
to New Bedford, Massachusetts, and there, 
in 1853, she married George H. Bodfish, 
Esq., and came to California. She survives 
him, and is a resident of Pacific Grove. 

Allen L. Luce received a liberal education. 
His first experience in business was as a mer- 
chant, which occupation he followed at Kern- 
ville, Havilah and White Pine, in Kern 
county, during the mining excitement in 
1863 to '69. After about two years spent in 
Nevada raining districts, and, later, some 
time at Gilroy, California, he received the 
appointment of keeper of Point Pinos light- 
house, which position he still occupies. 

Mr. Luce married, in 1875, Miss Fanuie 
L. Perry, daughter of Captain liichard Perry, 



of San Feli])e, for many years a resident of 
Hollister, San Benito county. They have 
two sons, Raymond Allen and Richard 
Perry. A daughter, Emma, died in 1881, 
aged three years. 

Allen Luce has perhaps more than any 
other one man in this vicinity interested 
himself in the cause of education. He was 
one of the first to move in segregating the 
old Monterey school district and organizing 
the Pacific Grove district. He was foremost 
in a movement to vote bonds and build the 
present elegant and commodious school build- 
ing, which is without exception the finest 
and most complete of all in the county. 
The position Mr. Luce has so many years 
held with the Federal Government, and the 
esteem with which he is regarded in Mon- 
terey county, mark him as a man of excellent 
parts. 



RS. M. E. LAWREY is truly one of 
the pioneers of California. She is 
a daughter of Gallant Duncan Dick- 
enson of whom much is related in published 
books oil California history. Mrs. Lawrey 
is also the widow of Amos G. Lawrey, wlio 
came to California in its early and palmy 
days. Mr. Lawrey was a mason by trade and 
a native of Ohio, where he was born May 2, 
] 818, Jefferson county being the section of 
the State in which he first saw the light. In 
early life he pursued his trade, at the same 
time devoting much time to his studies, 
thereby gaining a practical education aud 
thorough knowledge of books. Mr. Lawrey 
came to California, overland, as early as 1846, 
passing the Dickenson party coming west- 
ward on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada 
mountains. Seeing that the party was quite 
destitute he hurried on to California, obtained 




AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



eraployinent at Jolinson's camp, where he 
earned the raeaus to purchase supplies. These 
he packed on mules, ten in number, and re- 
traced his steps to rescue the Dickenson party. 

In the year 1847 Mr. Lawrey and the 
Dickenson party removed to Monterey and 
he associated with Gallant Duncan Dicken- 
son, in 1848, in the making of bricks. They 
erected the iirst brick house in California, 
which still stands in a good state of preser- 
vation. This house was built for Mr. Dick- 
enson and he occupied it with his family. 

About this time gold was discovered and 
Messrs. Lawrey and Dickenson spent six 
months in the mines, after which they located 
on the present site of Stockton, with Captain 
C. M. "Weber, the founder of the town. It 
was in this embryo city that Mr. Lawrey, 
October 29, 1849, married Miss Margaret 
Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Gallant 
Duncan Dickenson, and was the first marriage 
solemnized in the place. Mr. Lawrey was an 
expert in his line and did much fine work, 
contracting for jobs. He spent several years 
in San Diego, and with Mr. Horton, its 
founder, platted the city. Mr. Lawrey finally 
located at San Jose, where he died, April 24, 
1881, aged sixty-four years. 

Of the four children of Mr. Lawrey, three 
are still living, namely: Beatrice L., wife of 
Walter M. Hollenbeck, a lady of rare intel- 
lectual accomplishments and executive ability. 
For a period of nineteen years she was a 
tutor in the public schools of San Jose, and 
was the first of her sex to receive an appoint- 
ment to a principaiship of the public schools 
in the city, which position she retained for 
seven years. Mrs. Hollenbeck is an accom- 
plished vocalist, and as such is known, not 
only in her own city, but her fame has reached 
San Francisco, where she has many admirers 
and friends. Mr. Hollenbeck became her 



husband, at San Jose, in 1871, and since 
1887, has been one of the enterprising and 
active business men of Pacific Grove. The 
second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrey, is 
Miss Lola, an accomplished pianist. The 
third child an only son, Edward, a mechanic, 
is married and settled in the same town. 

Mrs. Lawrey inherited many of her dis- 
tinguished father's traits and has true business 
instincts and great force of character. She 
has borne with great fortitude the responsi- 
bilities and cares incident to a busy life, made 
none the less hard on account of the total 
blindness of Mr. Lawrey during the last ten 
years of his life. In 1888, Mrs. Lawrey 
located in Pacific Grove, where she owns 
valuable productive real estate. In the city 
of her choice, Mrs. Lawrey is universally es- 
teemed for her many sterling traits of char- 
acter and true womanly qualities. 



^EORGE W. GORDON, was born in 
Us? I^orchester, New Hampshire, October 
^E^ 16, 1836, son of John and Hannah 
Gordon, natives of New Hampshire. His 
father was a millowner. When George W. 
was eight years old his parents moved to 
Maine, and there located. He, however, re- 
mained in New Hampshire with his uncle, 
Jacob Gordon, until he was twenty years of 
age. He then spent one year in Maine, at- 
tending school. 

On account of poor health, Mr. Gordon 
came to California in 1859. He spent one 
season on a dairy ranch near San Francisco, 
and at Point Reyes he conducted the same 
business for about five years. Then, coming 
to Monterey county, he located in Corral de 
Tierra, and operated the Laporte ranch of 4,500 
acres. He is now the owner of 185 acres of 



MONTE RET, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



the finest soil in tlie corral, on which he con- 
ducts diversified farming. 

He married Miss Julia M. Nason, by 
whom he has one daughter eight years of 
ao;e. He served his district on tiie County 
Board of Supervisors four years, with ability 
and to the entire satisfaction of his constitu- 
ents. 



5ANUEL BRUNO, who is successfully 
conducting a dairy business on the 
"^i^^ Laguna Seco rancho, situated on the 
Salinas road leading out from Monterey, is a 
gentleman worthy of appropriate mention in 
the history of his county. 

Mr. Bruno was born on the Azores Islands 
in 1839, of Portugal parentage. His father, 
Antone Bruno, was a wine producer. At the 
age of eighteen years, the subject of our 
sketch came to America, landing at Cape 
Cod. From there he made five extended 
whaling cruises, shipping from Provincetown. 
In 1861 he came from New York city to San 
Francisco, via Panama, and then abandoned 
the sea. His first employment in California 
was herding sheep in San Luis Obispo county. 
He has since lived at "Wilsonville and at 
Castroville. He chose for his wife, a Spanish 
lady, Miss L. Espenosa, a daughter of Josefa 
Espenosa. She is the owner of landed estate. 
They are the parents of fourteen children. 



fYLVESTER WILCOX, an honored pio- 
neer of California, for forty years a suc- 
cessful farmer and stock-raiser of San 
Benito county, near San Juan, crossed the 
plains, via Salt Lake, in 1851. He stopped 
en route at Hangtown, in Greenwood valley, 
M'here he worked in the mines for a year. 



The winters of 1851 and 1852 were passed 
east of Stockton, in San Joaquin county, in 
the vicinity of two brothers, one of whom 
Mr. Wilcox had not seen for several years. 
In the fall of 1852 he came to San Juan, 
near which place he engaged in his present 
business, which he has since successfully 
pursued. 

Mr. Wilcox was married in San Ber- 
nardino, to Miss Sarah Moore, an estimable 
lady, born in Palo Alto county, lo.wa, Janu- 
ary 3, 1828. Her father, Matthew Moore, 
deceased, crossed the plains to this country 
in 1851. 

Mr. Wilcox has demonstrated what indus- 
try and perseverance can accomplish in Cali- 
fornia. He has not only accumulated a 
competence, but has done so in an honest 
and praiseworthy manner. 



fOHN HENRY CREAMER, a resident 
of San Benito, is a typical California 
])ioneer. He came to the State as early 
as 1848. 

Mr. Creamer was born twelve miles west 
of Detroit, in Wayne county, Michigan, No- 
vember 17, 1842. His father, Henry Creamer, 
a farmer and wagon-freighter, came to this 
coast across the plains with horees, in 1850, 
and here he was engaged in freighting from 
Sacramento into the mining districts. His 
wife died in Sacramento in the spring of 
1852. The subject of our sketch had pre- 
ceded his parents to California, having been 
brought out by Dr. King, a distant relative 
of Mrs. Creamer and a personal friend of the 
family. He was, however, returned to his 
parents in the East, and crossed the plains 
with them in 1850. His youth and early 
manhood days were spent on the mountain 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



trails, as conductor of pack trains and as a 
freight teamster; " Fiddletown," in Amador 
countj, being for a time his base of opera- 
tions. He was the first man to ride on the 
pony express between Sacramento and Salt 
Lake, and was the first to hanl rocks from the 
Virginia mines. He catne to San Benito 
valley in 1872 and engaged in farming, and 
in 1874 located his present home, a mile and 
a half south of San Benito. He owns 800 
acres of tilled lands, his land being among 
the very best in San Benito county. 

In 1874 Mr. Creamer was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Lucinda Gammon, a native of 
Nova Scotia. Although advanced in years, 
he is hale, hearty, sociable, and as buoyant in 
spirit as a man at half his age. 

1^* O'HARA, a California pioneer of 1860, 
|n^ now residing near Paicines, San Benito 
^^ ® countj, was born in Sligo, Ireland, in 
1839. He resided in his native city until 
October 23, 1854, when he embarked for 
America. He remained in central New York 
until 1860, when he came, via the isthmus of 
Panama, to California, whence Mrs. O'Hara 
followed two years later, landing in San 
Francisco, February 26, 1862. 

Mr. O'Hara has always been engaged in 
farming and stock-raising. In October, 1869, 
he located on Tres Pinos creek, San Benito 
county, where he remained until 1880, when 
he removed to his present farm on Los 
Mertns creek, near Paicines. Here he has a 
flourishing farm of 320 acres, well stocked 
and provided with valuable improvements. 
He has a substantial farm residence, and 
commodious barns for his grain and stock, 
the whole place bearing an air of honest 
thrift. 



Mr. O'Hara was married in Skaneateles, 
Onondaga county. New York, to Miss Brid- 
get May, an intelligent lady, born in Ire- 
land, Novernber 9, 1848. She was a daugh- 
ter of John May, a prosperous farmer, who 
removed with his family to New York in 
1848. She was reared and educated in Mott- 
ville. They have four children: Kate, Will- 
iam, Murray F. and Thomas Austin. 

Thus has industry and perseverance been 
rewarded by a competence, while uniform 
uprightness of dealing has gained for Mr. 
O'Hara an enviable reputation wherever 
known. 

fAMES N. HUBLER,an honored pioneer 
of California, now residing in Mulberry, 
San Benito county, was born in Pine 
township, Northumberland county, Pennsyl- 
vania, May 12, 1828. His parents were 
Moses and Sarah (Newberry) Hubler, both 
natives of the Keystone State, the former of 
Pennsylvania Dutch parentage. The father 
was a weaver by trade, which was his princi- 
pal occupation, although he engaged at times 
in general mechanical work. They were the 
parents of six sons and six daughters, all but 
one, a son, living to maturity, of whom the 
subject of this sketch is the only one residing 
in California. 

James N. Hubler, whose name heads this 
notice, learned the blacksmith's trade in 
Youngstown, Ohio, which occupation he has 
followed for forty-two years. He came to 
California via the Isthmus, landing in San 
Francisco, June 17, 1854; on the 18th he 
went to Sacramento, and on the 19th com- 
menced work at his trade. He was thus 
occupied in that city for two years, and then 
went to Tehuantepec, Mexico. He followed 
his trade exclusively until 1882, but has since 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



divided his time between farming and black- 
stnitliing. He now owns 160 acres in San 
Benito county, nearly all of wJiieh is tillable 
land. He has made many improvements, 
and has, altogether, a very valuable piece of 
property. Although too busily occupied to 
take any very great interest in politics, yet 
his constituents have shown their apprecia- 
tion of him as a citizen by electing him to 
the office of Constable, which position he 
tilled to the entire satisfaction of all con- 
cerned. 

Mr. Hubler was first married in 1854, in 
Sacramento, to Miss Eugenie Laurant, an in- 
telligent lady of French parentage. This happy 
union was dissolved by death in 1864, the de- 
voted wife leaving one son, Eugene William, 
now a prosperous blacksmith, residing near 
Oakland, California. Mr. Hubler remained sin- 
gle for three years, and then married Cayatana 
Penia, an estimable lady, who was born and 
j'tared in Durango, the capital- of the State 
■)f the same name, Mexico. They have had 
nine children, eight now living. 

Thus in brief is outlined the life of a man 
of the purest morality, strictest toil, and un- 
bounded eood-will toward his fellow-men. 



J^rtlLTON SHERWOOD, an intelligent 
'f^t and well-to-do farmer of San Juan 
valley, California, whose ranch is 
situated two miles south of San Juan and six 
and one-half miles from Holiister, was born 
in Wyoming, New York, September 27, 
1830. He has thus put a continent between 
himself and his liirthplace, seeking, like 
many others, a place most favorable for his 
financial growth. John Sherwood, his father, 
was also born in the Empire State, which has 
given birth to so many of our bravest and 
best citizens. 



The subject of our sketch was in Kane 
county, Illinois, in 1861, whence he turned 
his steps in that year toward the setting sun, 
his destination being the Golden State. He 
journeyed via the Salt Lake route, by the 
North Platte and Humboldt rivers, thence 
over tlie mountains to Sacramento, California. 
Arrived in that city, he farmed in the vicin- 
ity for two years, when he returned to liis 
home in New York State, going via the 
Panama. He returned to California by the 
same route, bringing with him his wife and 
six children. A child was afterward born in 
tlie West, where one also died, leaving six 
now surviving. 

Mr. Sherwood's wife was formerly a Miss 
Sarah Pease, a native of Cattaraugus county. 
New York, and daughter of David Pease, 
still living (1892) in Illinois, aged ninety- 
two years. 

Honorable, industrious and persevering, 
Mr. Sherwood has acquired a competence and 
gained the respect of all who know him. 



fAMES S. ROWE, a California pioneer of 
1854, now residing near San Juan, in 
San Benito county, was born in Dor- 
chester, Grafton county, New Hampshire, 
April 27, 1833. In 1854 he left home for 
California, going via the Isthmus of Panama, 
arriving in due time in San Francisco. He 
was engaged for the first five years in mining 
in Placer, Tuolumne and other counties, but 
finally entered the wood business, which he 
followed in San Joaquin county and San Juan, 
near which latter place he now farms eighty- 
five acres. He has prospered and now has a 
competence for himself and family. 

He was married in December, 1873, to 
Miss Sarah Twitchell, an intelligent lady, and 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



daughter of a widely known resident of 
this State. There are nine children: Jasper 
Twitchell; Harrison H.; Sarah E. Roe; Nancy 
J., now Mrs. Norman Berry; Jasper Abra- 
ham; Clarinda, now Mrs. A. Rotha; Elijah 
Lettie and Amanda. 

tRTHUR BRANNAGAN, an industri- 
ous and successful farmer and stock- 
..,, raiser near Mulberry, San Benito county, 
California, was born in Ireland. In 1845 he 
came to America, landing in Boston, where 
he remained four years. In July, 1849, he 
sailed from that city for San Francisco, going 
via the Isthmus of Panama. Before locating 
in California, however, he tried mining in 
Nevada. He continued to work in the mines 
until April, 1870, when he located on his 
present farm, where he has 2,000 acres of 
land, part of which is used as a range for his 
stock. He has, by careful management and 
continued industry, been very successful, and 
is numbered among the prominent agricult- 
urists and stijck-raisers of this vicinity. 

He was married in San Francisco, in 1863, 
to Miss Fannie Bride, a highly esteemed lady. 
They have three children: Richard, Annie 
and Arthur. 

fAMES S. KERR, a thriving business 
man of Ilollister, California, was born 
in the province of Nova Scotia, New 
Brunswick, August 29, 1848. He was reared 
a farmer, which occupation he followed during 
his earlier years. In 1862 he came from 
New Orleans to Sacramento, California, wherp 
he worked a farin for about six years. He 
(;hen weiit to the mines in Calaveras county. 



and worked at mining for five years. Thence 
he removed to Santa Cruz county, where he 
followed teaming in the Redwood lumbering 
district. He afterward went to Los Banos, 
in Merced county, and there followed farm- 
ing for about ten years. From there he came 
to Hollister, San Benito county, in 1890, 
where he bought his present home and other 
rentable property, and is successfully engaged 
in the real-estate business. 

He was married in June, 1889, to Miss 
Alice Newton, a highly esteemed lady and 
a native of Missouri. They have one son. 
Earl C. 

Mr. Kerr is widely known and respected 
as a man of unblemished character, generous 
impulses and genial disposition, a pioneer of 
California, and a business man of push and 
energy. 

f CLAUSEN is one of the leading farmers 
of Blanco, in Monterey county. He is 
^i\, " a native of Germany, having been born 
there, November 27, 1831. The trip from 
Germany to California was made in a sailing 
vessel, via Cape Horn. As our subject was 
an expert sailor he soon engaged in running 
a freight vessel on the bay of San Francisco, 
named the Sacramento, until 1869. He then 
engaged in farming, purchasing 115 acres for 
that purpose in the Salinas valley, at Blanco 
in Monterey county. To this property he 
added 115 acres more, and now has one of the 
finest and most fertile farms in the valley. 

In 1865 he made a return trip to his native 
land, where he spent about two yef^rs, and 
there married IVfrs. Katherine Elders, who 
bore bin] six children, namely: Maggie, Jacob, 
Henry, Charles, John, and Kate. The last two 
Ui^nied are tioth dead. John was the eldest 
born and gave promise of great talent. He 



MONTE RE Y, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



was a student of the State University, a mem' 
ber of tlie senior class of civil engineering, but 
died September 6, 1879; and the other, Kate, 
died October 8, 1886. One of the remaining 
children, Maggie, is a graduate of the State 
Normal School, at Sanford, class of 1891, and 
is a most accomplished and successful school 
teaclier. 

Our subject is a gentleman of broad, general 
information, a most respected citizen and a 
Trustee of the School District. 



fUDGEJOHN K.ALEXANDER.— "To 
assume the judicial ermine and wear it 
worthily requires the abandonment of all 
party bias and personal prejudice, a posses- 
sion of educational qualitications, clean hands 
and a pure heart." These words, a clear, 
concise summary of the attributes of the 
ideal jurist, are taken from Judge Alexander's 
reply, made in 1879, to a written request of 
one hundred leading citizens of Monterey 
county, of various political creeds, that he be- 
come a candidate for the position of Superior 
Judge. They are given here because they 
seem to reflect the character of the gentle- 
man himself more truly tlian any lengthened 
description could do. Judge Alexander's 
pride is his profession, and the preservation 
of the purity of the judicial ermine is with 
him the most sacred obligation. 

John K. Alexander was born in Brandon, 
Rankin county, Mississippi, in 1839, and at 
the age of flfteen years came with his mother, 
brother and sister to Sacramento, California, 
to rejoin his father, who had preceded them 
five years before. Young Alexander entered 
the Sacramento grammar school, which he 
attended until 1857, when he went to Cala- 
veras county and worked in a gold mine (the 



Woodhonse Quartz Company's claim) for 
about one year. Here he earned his first 
money, and acquired the physical health and 
stamina so essential to success in any pursuit. 
Returning to Sacratnento, he entered the 
high school, from which he graduated in two 
years, and served one term as vice-principal 
thereof. Immediately upon graduation he 
commenced the study of law in the office of 
George R. Moore, studying later with tlie 
firm of Harrison & Estee. The adoption of 
the profession of law was no mere boyish 
whim, but a life-work entered upon gravely 
and seriously, with a clear conception of its 
intricacies, and a consciousness that it chal- 
lenged the metal of the very best quality of 
mind. To this conviction was added the 
great determination to succeed. October 7, 
1862, he was admitted to practice in the Su- 
preme Court of the State, upon motion of 
Hon. Morris M. Estee, after an examination 
in open court. 

In 1863 he formed a partnership with his 
old instructor, Mr. Moore, which lasted until 
the latter's death. Says a brilliant writer in 
speaking of his co-partnership: "Mr. Moore, 
who had watched with interest his partner's 
studious and' painstaking qualities, had per- 
fect confidence in his competence, and threw 
the burden of business upon him. This was 
of immense service to him. He came to owe 
much to Mr. Moore, whose advice and 
prompting greatly aided and stimulated his 
labors, while he studied, and which have 
greatly advantaged him at the bar and on the 
bench." A two-years partnership with Hon. 
John "W. Armstrong, recently Judge of Su- 
perior Court, Sacramento county, formed 
soon after Mr. Moore's death, was terminated 
in 1870, by the election of Judge Alexander 
to the ofiice of District Attorney. At the 
completion of his term of office, and after a 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



365 



short vacation, in which a visit was made to 
the home of his boyhood, he formed a part- 
nership with Hon. A. C. Freeman, the emi- 
nent law compiler and writer, which contin- 
ued nntil failing liealth compelled Judge 
Alexander to remove, in 1874, to Salinas 
city, the county seat of Monterey county. 
Here, in 1879, he was induced to become a 
candidate for the position of Superior Judge, 
at the request, as before stated, of one hun- 
dred of the county's best citizens, irrespect- 
ive of political bias. He was also nomin- 
ated by the Democratic County Convention. 
He was re-elected in 1884, although the 
State and county went Republican for Presi- 
dent, Judge Alexander being a Democrat. 

A quiet and modest gentleman, with the 
unassuming manner characteristic of true 
nobleness, Judge Alexander yet possesses a 
magnetic force which makes him always 
recognized as a power by his associates. 
Cautious, careful and methodical, he is yet a 
man of dispatch. He has been peculiarly 
successful as a judge; very few of his judg- 
ments have been reversed, although many 
appeals have been taken from them. His 
charge to the jury in the murder trial of the 
People vs. lams, which is given in full in the 
California Reports, is considered a fine legal 
paper and was highly complimented by the 
Supreme Court in affirming Judge Alexan- 
der's decision. His charge to the jury in the 
case of E. T. Simmons vs. the Pacific Im- 
provement Company, for $100,000 damages, 
is considered one of the ablest statements of 
law on the subject of "probable cause" that 
has ever emanated from an American jurist, 
and is a masterpiece of logic and pure, con- 
cise English. After occupying the bench for 
eleven years. Judge Alexander retired in 
January, 1891, and commenced again the 
active practice of law in Salinas, in conjunc 



tion with George A. Daugherty, and the firm 
enjoys a large and lucrative business. 

After the separation of San Benito county 
from Monterey, Judge Alexander was ap- 
pointed a member of the commission to adju- 
dicate the indebtedness of the counties. In 
July, 1888, the Los Angeles University con- 
ferred the degree of LL. D. upon him. 

Judge Alexander was married, August 2, 
1865, to Miss Sallie B. Carothers, of Peta- 
Inma, and has two sons and one daughter. 
He has long been a member of the Masonic 
Order, being Past Master of Salinas Lodge, 
No. 204, and Past High Priest of Salinas 
Chapter, R. A. M., No. 59. He is also a 
member of the San Francisco and California 
State Bar Association. His aged parents 
yet live on their farm. Laurel ranch, near 
Menio Park. 

SRANK KAPMAN, a native of Germany, 
was born August 2, 1841. He came to 
^ America, with his parents, who located 
in Illinois in 1848. The father, Farick Kap- 
man, was an educated man, an expert account- 
ant, and did professional clerical work. 

Our subject lived in LaSalle county, Illi- 
nois, until the opening of the late Rebellion. 
He then volunteei-ed as a soldier, was mus- 
tered into the Third Missouri Infantry and 
served three mouths, the time of his enlist- 
ment. He re-enlisted in the Forty -Third 
Missouri Infantry, and was assigned to the 
Western Division, under General Grant. He 
took part in many lively skirmishes and sev- 
eral full-fledged battles. In these he received 
several slight wounds. He served until the 
expiration of his time of enlistment and re- 
ceived an honorable discharge. 

After the close of the war he came to Cali- 
fornia and located at Castroville, and farmed 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



on the Cooper ranch. Later he purchased 
fifty acres of Mr. Jarvis Bardin, which lie has 
greatly improved. He is a thrifty and suc- 
cessful farmer, and in all respects a reliable 
and estimable citizen. 

Our subject married, in 1875, Miss Julia 
Kagin, a native of Canada, and she has borne 
him four children, namely: George F., Katie, 
Nettie and Crescentia. 



fOHlST CONLEY, a well-known farmer, 
living near Paicines, San Benito county, 
was born in Ireland in 1831. He bade 
adieu to the Emeiald Isle in 1852 and sailed 
for America, landing in New York city. He 
spent some time in Onondaga county, and 
subsequently lived in Albany. In the fall of 
1855 he came to California. He located at 
San Jose, and was an employe of the County 
and City Government a portion of the four- 
teen years he spent there. For several years 
past he has been in San Benito county, and 
now owns a good farm near Paicines. 

Mr. Conley married Miss Catharine Galla- 
gher, and has three sons: John, James, and 
Martin. 

fACOB WATSON, a leading and influen- 
tial farmer of Paicines, is a son of Jacob 
Watson, deceased, a pioneer of California, 
of whom extended mention is made elsewhere 
in this volume. 

Our subject was born, December 20, 1851, 
in Sacramento, and came to San Benito county 
with the family. Since that time he has 
aided in making the name of Watson one of 
the best known in the county, by his honesty 
and thrift. By occupation Mr. Watson is a 
faamer, and is the possessor of 320 acres of 



as fine land as can be found anywhere in the 
entire county. Mr. Watson is still single, 
preferring the delights of freedom and bache- 
lorhood, to the cares of wedded life. Few 
farmers of California display the business 
ability, coupled with strict integrity, evinced 
by Mr. Watson, the subject of this notice. 



fHARLES H. WATSON, one of the 
prosperous farmers of Paicines, is the 
youngest of the large and influential 
family of Jacob Watson, deceased, a pioneer 
of San Benito county. Our subject was born 
on a ranch between San Juan and Watson- 
ville, March 23, 1858. He was reared to 
farm life and early learned the art of tilling 
the soil and raising cattle and horses, which 
occupations he still follows, having made 
them his life work. 

Mr. Watson married, in 1882, Miss Minnie 
Lyn, a daughter of Nelson Lyn, but after 
three years of married happiness Mrs. Watson 
was called to her home above, leaving one 
son, who was born January 18, 1884. The 
death of Mrs. Watson occurred August 10, 
1885. Mr. Watson has a fine farm of about 
520 acres in San Benito county. He has a 
nice home, which is near the post office of Pai- 
cines. Mr. Watson is a man that commands 
the esteem of all who know him. 

fRANK L. PALMER, a prosperous and 
influential farmer of Priest Valley, San 
Benito county, California, is a native son 
of this State, and was born in San Francisco, 
May 11, 1855. The well-known pioneer, 
Samuel Palmer, is his father, than whom uo 
one has done more to develop the resources 



AJfD SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



367 



of the country. Frank L. Palmer now owns 
one of the finest farms in the valley, beauti- 
fully situated and well cultivated to mixed 
farming, including altogether 320 acres. As 
may well be imagined, this prosperity has not 
come by chance, but by arduous eifort, un- 
flagging energy and indomitable persever- 
ance, unremittingly exercised by its owner; 
the thrift of tl\e place being a reflex of Mr. 
Palmer's character. 

Mr. Palmer was fortunate in securing an 
intelligent and careful helpmate in the person 
of Miss E. Myers, whom he married July 22, 
1882. She was born January 19, 1862, and 
is a daughter of A. Myers, a prominent citi- 
zen of the county. They have three chil- 
ren: Ada, born November 10, 1884; Enri- 
quita, born January 13, 1888; and Darrow, a 
soHj born January 10, 1891. 

In his domestic life and as a citizen and 
business man, Mr. Palmer is characterized by 
the same intelligence, uprightness and genial- 
ity, whom to know is to respect and esteem. 

fAMES B. IVERSON.— When James B. 
Iverson started for California, twenty- 
five years ago, he borrowed money to 
pay the expenses of the trip. To-day he owns 
a competence, and financially is one of the 
solid men of the county. Fortune did not 
hunt him up to pour her treasures lavishly 
into his lap. Coming to Monterey county, 
when it was comparatively new, he has done 
much to develop the resources of the Salinas 
valley, and has profited by enhancing property 
values, and creating wealth, where, in the un- 
developed condition of the country, none 
existed. 

He is a native of Denmark, and was born 
October 3, 1835, iu Apenrade, Schleswig 



(now a part of Prussia). His father, Jesse 
Iverson, was born in 1809, and died at Salinas 
October 7, 1890. The mother was born in 
1811 and died at Salinas, in 1881. 

Mr. Iverson was educated in the common 
schools of his county, having only one teacher 
during the whole period of his school days. 
He learned the trade of blacksmithing from 
his father, and after serving sixteen months 
in the Danish army, in 1863 he came to Cali- 
fornia. He worked at the forge five years in 
San Lorenzo, for Henry Smith. When he 
had been in California eighteen months he 
had repaid the friend who had lent him money 
and had §50 left, and this money he invested 
in mining stock, which he still retains as a 
souvenir of his first investment. 

From San Lorenzo he went to Watson ville, 
where he worked three months. In September, 
1868, he arrived at Salinas with a little more 
than $2,000, which he expended and went 
into debt |800 in fitting up a shop. He worked 
hard and met with success, adding to his 
shop as circumstances would permit, event- 
ually adding a machine department, until he 
now has the most complete establisiiraent of 
this kind in this section of the State. Soon 
after he came to Salinas his brother, E. P. 
Iverson, came from Denmark and worked for 
him for ten years, when he was admitted into 
partnership. Later Mr. Iverson sent for the 
balance of the family. 

During the past six or eight years Mr. 
Iverson has turned his management of the 
shop over to his brother, his outside interests, 
land, stock, etc., demanding all his attention. 
He, Jesse D. Carr and William Vanderhurst, 
bought 1,500 acres of swamp land near Salinas, 
from Eugene Sherwood, which by the ex- 
penditure of a large sum of money and several 
years of hard labor they reclaiuied. Mr. 
Iverson is in partnership with William Van- 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SASTA CRUZ, 



derhurst in a number of ranches and is ex- 
tensively engaged in grain and stock-raising. 
He is also interested in the Los Burros mines 
and is president of the Gas, Electric Light 
and Water Company and of the I. O. (). F. 
Hall Assciation. He has been a member of 
the Common Council and is a director in the 
Agricultural Association, having the manage- 
ment of the tract. He is a progressive citizen, 
prominent in all enteprises that are for the 
benetit of Salinas or Monterey county. 



fACOB R. LEESE, the present efhcient 
Postmaster of Monterey, is an only son 
of Jacob Primer Leese, Esq., one of the 
earliest American settlers of California, who 
for many years figured conspicuously ih the 
civil and political history of the State. He 
came to California in 1833. He is a native 
of Ohio and was born in 1809. He came 
from New Mexico to California, where 
he was for a time engaged in trade at Santa 
Fe. He first located for a brief time at Los 
Angeles, and in 1836 came to Monterey, with 
Governor Chico, whose confidence and good 
will he possessed, accompanying him from 
Los Angeles to Santa Barbara bj sailing ves- 
sel, thence overland to Monterey with a mili- 
tary escort of eighteen soldiers, arriving 
May 1. This was Chico's first visit to the 
capital of California, where he assumed his of- 
ficial duties. Mr. Leese was consulted by the 
new Governor touching various matters inci- 
dental to the shaping of the policy of his ad- 
ministration, and was by the Governor's 
influence granted permission to lay out the 
town of Yerba Buena (San Francisco). Mr. 
Leese soon formed a partnership with Na- 
than Spear and W. S. Henkley, and with 
them erected the first substantial structure 



in San Francisco. Bancroft, in speaking of 
the pioneers of 1836-'40, mentions Leese as 
being one of the three men who were quietly 
" developing the latent glories " of San Fran- 
cisco while others were distributed along 
the coast between that point and San Diego. 
In the first named year he built the first dwell- 
ing-house in the town, at the corner of Dupont 
and Clay streets. The following year he mar- 
ried Rosalie, a sister of General Yallejo, and 
April 15, 1838, a daughter was born to them 
and given her mother's name. Rosalie Leese 
was the first white child born in San Fran- 
cisco. She lived, however, only a short time, 
and a younger daugliter was given the 
name. 

Mr. Leese did an extensive mercantile 
business at Yerba Buena. He owned boats 
and traded on the bay and rivei's until 1841, 
when he was made thegrantee of the Canada 
de Guadalupe, and Visitacion Rodeo Viego 
ranches at San Francisco, and of the 
Huichica rancho at Sonoma. He sold his 
store and dwelling to the Hudson Bay Com- 
pany and removed to Sonoma, still retaining 
interests in two boats, one of which was the 
Rosalia. In 184:4-'45 he was Alcalde at So- 
noma. In 1846 he was associated as agent 
with Hon. Thoinas O. Larkin in executing 
his plans of annexation to the United States. 
He figured somewhat conspicuously in the 
historic Bear Flag revolt as interpreter for 
the contending forces. Bancroft in his pub- 
lished works on California acknowledges the 
receipt of a valuable manuscript, reciting the 
story of the event, from the pen of Jacob P. 
Leese, pronouncing it the best written manu- 
script on the subject, extant. Yet, in another 
paragraph in his same work, he speaks of 
Leese as an uneducated and not very intelli- 
gent man. This affords an example of the 
many instances wherein H. H. Bancroft di. 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



369 



verges from the path of historical accuracy 
and for reasons mysterious to the reader, but 
doubtless known to himself, makes contra- 
dictory statements and does a wortliy subject 
an injustice. Enough, however, is given of 
Jacob Leese's life in the Brancroft works to 
prove him a man of more thau average intel- 
ligence, keen business foresight, and by no 
means lacking in courage, even though he 
may have been deficient in scholarly attain- 
ments, as many of the foremost early pio- 
neers were. ln'1847hewas a member of 
Sonoma Town Council. In 1848-'49 he mined 
extensively and was very successful. In 
1849 he made a voyage to China on the Eve- 
line, associated in the enterprise with Hon. 
Thomas O. Larkin. In 1855 he was elected 
Vice-President of the Society of California 
Pioneers. He took up his residence in Mon- 
terey in 1850. In 1863 he, with others, was 
conceded valuable lands for colonization pur- 
poses in Alta California. The enterprise 
however, failed, and through various un- 
fortunate turns in the tide of his affairs he 
lost his property. 

Of Mrs. Rosalia Vallejo de Leese's family 
in California, the historical annals of the 
State are replete with glowing and most in- 
teresting facts. Few, if any, were more 
prominent in the most important social and 
political occurrences of their day. 

Jacob R. Leese, the subject of this sketch, 
was born April 15, 1839, in Monterey. There 
he spent his boyhood and youth, was educated 
in the Spanish and English languages, clos- 
ing his studies at Santa Clara College, and 
since the age of twenty-one has been almost 
continuously in public oiBce. He was 
Deputy United States Marshal for the Second 
District, under Henry D. Barrows, Esq. He 
was for years Under Sheriff of Monterey 
county, from 1870 to 1874. He was Deputy 



County Recorder two years, 1875 to 1877, 
under Mr. H. Mills, and was elected Recorder 
for the succeeding term. In 1878 he received 
the Republican nomination for Sheriff of 
Monterey county, and lacked fourteen votes 
only of an election in a strongly Democratic 
Jstrict. lie followed ranching in San Luis 
Obispo county from 1879 to 1881. He re- 
ceived the appointment of Postmaster at Sa- 
linas from President Garfield, which position 
he filled with much credit to himself, and 
upon the expiration of his term of office he 
resumed farming. He subsequently relin- 
quished farming to assume the postmaster- 
ship of Monterey. This was in 1890. A 
man of executive and natural clerical ability, 
he has systematized and materially improved 
the service. 

In 1873 Mr. Leese married, at San Luis 
Obispo, Miss Caroline Estrada, a daughter of 
Don Joaquin Estrada, a leading Californian. 
Her father was the grantee of the Santa 
Margarita rancho in 1841. He removed 
to San Luis Obispo, where he figured in pub- 
lic affairs, being Juez de Paz (Justice of the 
Peace) in 1845, and in 1853 County Judge. 
Of his family of ten children all are living 
except two daughters and one son. The four 
daughters are in Monterey. One son is in 
Me.xieo and one in Monterey county. 



j^HRISTIAN RUDOLPH, one of the 
JK most independent and prosperous early 
^^ settlers, is a leading agriculturist of 
Bitter Water valley, San Benito county. He 
was one of the first to locate in this favored 
region, where he has become so highly es- 
teemed. 

Mr. Rudolph is a native of Denmark, 
where he was reared to manhood and fought 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, S^iNTA CRUZ, 



in the Danish army, from 1863 to 1864. At 
this time he went to Germany, and from 
there sailed for America, landing in New 
York. He came almost immediately to Cali- 
fornia, via Panama, and upon reaching San 
Francisco he proceeded to Watsonville, where 
he worked six years on a farm. Mr. Rudolph 
then purchased of Mr. Rufus Small and Mr. 
Matthis a squatter's right to about 400 acres 
of land, 200 acres of which is tilled. 

Our subject was married, in 1872 to Ellen 
M. Smith, a daughter of T. Smith. Mrs. 
Rudolph is a native of the same land as her 
husband, and came to America from Den- 
mark when only nineteen years of age. Mr. 
and Mrs. Rudolph have si.x children, namely: 
Louis, born June 19, 1873; Peter, born July 
16, 1875; Katie, born May 8, 1877; Annie, 
born April 21, 1879; Paul, born March 81, 
1881; and Allen, born July 23, 1888. Mr. 
and Mrs. Rudolph are highly esteemed among 
their fellow townsmen as being very honor- 
able, upright people, and all agree that they 
richly deserve the good fortune they now en- 
joy. 

tENRY CHAMBERS, deceased.— This 
lamented pioneer of California was born 
ill Estill county, Kentucky, December 
15, 1827. He was a life-long farmer, coming 
to California in 1852, from Texas, and located 
in Fresno county. In 1869 he removed to 
Sau Benito county, and located in the Her- 
nandez valley, and there remained until he 
located in Bitter Water. 

In 1852 Mr. Chambers was married, in 
the State of Texas, to Miss Sarah Akers, a 
daughter of Henry Akers, a farmer and an 
early settler of Fresno county. Mr. Cham- 
bers died May 16, 1889, leaving his widow a 
comfortable estate and the following children: 



Amanda, born January, 1858; Rebecca, born 
March 2, 1855; James M., born December 
10, 1857; Ellen, born February 17, 1859; 
Mary A., born May 19, 1861; William Y., 
born April 9, 1863; George W., born Janu- 
ary 22, 1865; Emma, born February 3. 1867; 
Jesse M., born April 25, 1869; Ida and Inez 
(twins), born October 9, 1871; Edward W., 
born November 4, 1873; Thomas H., born 
August 25, 1876; and Annie, born July 8, 
1879. The Chambers home is one of the 
best located in the Bitter Water Valley, and 
the entire family enjoy the respect and esteem 
of all who know them. 

RS. JOSEFA ESPENOSA, one of 
the most respected and esteemed lady 
residents of the beautiful city of 
San Francisco, is the widow of the lamented 
Carlo Espenosa, whose death occurred Janu- 
ary 3, 1865. Since the death of her husband 
Mrs. Espenosa has been very prudent, and 
kept the large estate left her husband almost 
intact. Few business men could have man- 
aged their property better than this lady. 
She is the owner of a large and valuable 
estate, comprising about 2,500 acres of the 
Escarpiues ranch and about 8,000 acres of 
the Pozo ranch. Mrs. Espenosa has eight 
heirs to her extensive domain, and she is 
greatly beloved by them. The luxurious 
residence of Mrs. Espenosa is situated at No. 
2826 Clay Street, where she lives surrounded 
by every comfort that wealth can procure. 

M. SELLECK, one of the leading citi- 
zens of Bitter Water valley, has been 
* a resident of California since 1858. 
He was born in Fairtield county, Connecti- 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



cut, December 6, 1831. His father, Nathaniel 
Selleck, and his mother, Eunice Hall Selleck, 
were both natives of Connecticut. Our sub- 
ject left home when about twenty-two, and 
first obtained money to face the world by 
clerking in various stores. He next went to 
sea, shijDping " before the mast," making voy- 
ages to China, Chili, Peru, and then clerked 
in a ship chandler's store for some time, in 
Hong Kong, China. In 1860 he located at 
P^jaro, Monterey county, where he engaged 
in farming and remained until 1873, when he 
located on his present farm in Bitter Water 
valley, San Benito county, where he now 
owns 500 acres of good farm land and a fine 
stock range. 

Mr. Selleck married in Santa Cruz county, 
California, in 1867, Miss Christina Rudolf, a 
native of Denmark. Five children, now liv- 
ing, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Selleck, 
namely, Eimice, David, Katie, Oliver F. and 
Emma L. Mr. Selleck is a substantial citizen, 
and is universally esteemed by all. 

fAPTAIN W. P. N ICHOLS.— Few 
men have more extended acquaintance, 
or are more widely and generally known 
than Captain W. P. Nichols, the subject of 
this brief sketch. 

Prior to his final location in California he 
followed a seafaring life, and as an officer of 
a merchant ship visited the seaports of the 
State twice: the first voyage to the coast he 
made in 1852, when he was second officer of 
the ship Franconia, from Boston. In 1867 
or 1868 he again visited the coast, as master 
of the ship Nevada, also engaged in the 
merchant service; and his third and last voy- 
age was in 1869, when he landed in Monterey. 

Soon after his arrival he was tendered a 



position as Deputy County Clerk, by the 
County Clerk, W. M. R. Parker, which of- 
fice he held for two years. He then served 
under Sherifl" Andrew Wasson, as Deputy 
Sheriff and under Sheriff Smith, also. He 
then entered the County Clerk's oflice, again, 
as Deputy County Clerk, under Clerk Dexter, 
and still holds the same position under T. J. 
Riordan, Esq. He also served as Treasurer 
of Salinas city for eight years. 

The Captain has been married twice, the 
first time in 1863, in Boston, to Miss Eliz- 
abeth, a sister of Judge W. M. Parker, of 
Salinas. She died in 1871, leaving two chil- 
dren, Harry P. and John Lewis. In 1875 
Captain Nichols married Mrs. J. M. Furman, 
and by this union he has four children, 
namely. Mary A., Julian P., Lena E. and 
Gertrude T. 



Ig^IRAM COREY, one of the successful 
IB) farmers and stock-growers of Monterey 
^i| county, was born in the town of Stan- 
bridge, Canada, March 7, 1831, and has been 
a resident of California since 1852. 

Mr. Corey was the fourth of a family of 
nine children, born to Reuben and Malinda 
(Reynolds) Corey, both natives of New York. 
Mr. Corey, our subject, was reared on a farm 
in Canada, and was twenty years of age 
when he left his native home and came west. 
He spent one year in the mines of Nevada, 
when, with an older brother, Noah, he engaged 
in the lumbering business in Marion county, 
California. Later he took up dairy farming 
in the same county, continuing that occupa- 
tion until 1861. Their next venture was in 
the mines of the Owens river country, wiiere 
they erected a quartz mill for a New York 
mining corporation. Upon the completion 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



of this job they returned to their dairy in Cal- 
ifornia and remained until 1872. 

In 1872 Mr. Corey came to Monterey 
county and leased the Bueno Vista rancho of 
7,725 acres of land and operated it until 
1883, as a stock ranch, and in that year he 
purchased it. This ranch, under the able 
management of Mr. Corey, was known as one 
of the best dairy ranches in California. He 
operated it upon a large scale, keeping from 
450 to 500 cows. In 1889 he sold the prop- 
erty, but soon repurchased 1,630 acres, 
lying on the Salinas river, a lovely tract of 
moor lands, for a home, and here he has 
made one of the finest and most comfortable 
rural homes in the entire State. Its sur- 
roundings are. picturesque and the residence 
grand in its architectural proportions, sub- 
stantial in construction and elegant in ar- 
rangement, both within and without. 

Mr. Corey has always been a financier and 
now owns some of the best-blooded horses in 
the State. These horses are of important 
stock. The breeding stables are built on a 
broad scale, elegantly finished throughout, 
witii the latest improvements. 

Mr. Corey married, in 1856, Miss Rosanna 
Frost, a native of Essex, Vermont: she and 
her husband have one daughter, who is now 
Mrs. Bradley V. Sargent, Jr., of Salinas. 
Mr. Corey is a self-made man in every sense 
of the word, a typical farmer and has carved 
his way to a position among California's most 
successful business men, by his inherent in- 
dustry, thrift and perseverance. 

fEORGE J. JARVIS, of San Felipe, is 
one of the energetic and prosperous 
farmers of San Benito county. He is 
a native of England, and was born in London 



July 16, 1847. Two brothers had preceded 
him to this country, and upon the death of 
his parents when he was quite small, he fol- 
lowed them to the new country, joining them 
in Herkimer county, New York, in 1855. 
During his residence in that county he ac- 
quired a thorough knowledge of the dairy 
business. 

In 1869 Mr. Jarvis came to California and 
located in Solano county, and there remained 
until he located upon his present place, in 
1872. Here he owns eighty acres of rich, 
dark loam soil, in the extreme north of San 
Benito county, at San Felipe, between Hol- 
lister and Gilroy, where he operates a dairy 
of about thirty-five cows. 

Mr. Jarvis married, in San Felipe, Mrs. 
McLeod, an estimable widow, a native of 
Prince Edward Island, and she has borne her 
husband six children, namely: Grace, Bea- 
trice, George, Alice, Austin and Russell. By 
a former marriage Mrs. Jarvis had three 
children, namely: Emma, a teacher in the 
public schools; Janie and William. 

Mr. Jarvis and his good wife occupy an 
enviable position in the society of San Felipe, 
and Mr. Jarvis is well known for his energy, 
thrift and integrity. 



11|ATR1CK CULLEN, a prosperous farmer 
l^p and respected citizen of the Paicines 
^^ valley, San Benito county, California, is 
a native of the Emerald Isle. He was bom 
in 1824, and at the age of seventeen he came 
to America. He worked in Albany, New 
York, and afterward in Orleans county, that 
State. From there he went to Springfield, 
Illinois, later to Missouri, and in 1854 came 
as a Government teamster to California. He 
brought with him 400 head of cavalry horses 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



from Missouri, and delivered them at Benicia 
and Fort Tejon. 

Arriving in California, Mr. Cullom turned 
liis attention to mining, and was engaged in 
that business until 1860. That year he be- 
gan stock-raising in San Benito county. In 
1882 he located on his present place, 480 
acres of tilled land, lying in the Paicines 
valley. 

Mr. Cullen is a man of family. He mar- 
ried Miss B. McAndrew, and has two chil- 
dren, Hattie and John. 



F. FINCH, one of the leading citi- 
SttYfilt; zens of Erie, California, came to the 
^^^® State in 1864, from Michigan, Ber- 
rien county, six miles from St. Joe, where his 
father, Isaac, had been a pioneer. The 
mother of our subject. Miss Miranda Shippy, 
was a native of New York State, as was her 
husband. After 1840 Mr. and Mrs. Finch 
located in Michigan, where Mr. Finch en- 
gaged in farming until his demise. His 
widow married again, and her second husband 
was D. D. Wilder, of Santa Cruz, where he 
had the largest estates in that county. The 
death of the father of our subject occurred in 
Michigan, in 1858, and he left four children, 
all sons, of which our subject is the second. 

Upon coming to California, our subject, 
who was then but ten years of age, having 
been born February 10, 1854, in Berrien 
county, located in Marion county and followed 
dairying until he came to Santa Cruz, in 
1871. Here he remained until 1884; wlien he 
located near Hernandez valley, on San Benito 
creek, where he bought 800 acres of cleared 
land, on which he placed cattle and horses, 
(^f the latter he now has draught, saddle and 
carriage horses. Mr. Finch is now serving 



as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of 
San Benito county, and has proved himself 
an efficient official. He is a good business 
man, thorougly understanding all forms of 
commercial transactions, as he is a graduate 
of Heald's Business College of San Francisco. 
Mr. Finch was married in 1877 to Miss 
Adah Merrill, daughter of Robert Merrill, of 
Santa Cruz. She is a native of New Hamp- 
shire. No children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Finch. Both Mr. and Mrs. Finch 
are estimable people, and are highly esteemed 
by all who know them. 

§0N. WILLIAM VANDERHURST, an 
honored pioneer of California, who has 
been identified with every enterprise 
having for its object the development of 
Monterey county, and the good of Salinas 
valley, and a senior member of the large 
mercantile firm of Vanderhurst, Sanborn & 
Co., was born in Marion county, Mississippi, 
January 12, 1833. His father was a mer- 
chant by occupation, who died when the sub- 
ject of this sketch was but six years of age. 

Mr. Vanderhurst passed his youth in his 
native county a7id attended the schools in his 
vicinity. When sixteen years of age, he be- 
gan clerking, which occupation, with the ex- 
ception of one year at school, he followed un- 
interruptedly until he started for California, 
December 81, 1852. He came via the Isth- 
mus, and on the vessel in which he embarked 
measles, small-pox and yellow fever broke 
out, as many as four or five passengers a day 
dying between Panama and Acapulco. Mr. 
Vanderhurst fortunately escaped with an at- 
tack of varioloid. 

He arrived in San Francisco February 5, 
1853. He had letters of introduction to the 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



Mayor of San Francisco, but never presented 
them, as he started immediately after arriv- 
ing for the mines at Jamestown, Tuolumne 
county. lu May he went to Gold Hill, 
whence he proceeded to the middle fork of 
the American river, finally returning in No- 
vemher to San Francisco thoroughly disgusted 
with mining. 

His next venture was in an agricultural 
part of the State. He went to Santa Cruz 
county and secured employment with Cum- 
mins & Kitchen, contractors, to dig potatoes. 
But as he did not understand the business, 
he could not dig as many potatoes as the 
tither dagoes, and was discharged, although 
the firm, liking his industry, retained him a 
few days on other work. He then worked 
for J. B. Tyus, who now lives in Indian val- 
ley, Monterey county. He was in the red- 
woods two months getting out pickets, shakes, 
etc. He then made arrangements with Tyus 
& Poole to farm on shares, they furnishing 
everything and receiving one-half the crop. 
The first year he made enough to buy a team 
and farming utensils, and in 1855 leased land 
from Joseph Hatch. In 1856 he bought a 
squatter's claim, part of the Vallcjo grant in 
Monterey county, where he farmed until 
1858, when he sold out, and the following 
year removed to Watsonville. 

In Jnly, 1859, he entered the mercantile 
business in Watsonville, in partnership with 
Robert M. Griffin, under the firm name of 
Griffin & Company, which business they con- 
tinued until 1862. They invested their 
money, about $12,000, in mining stocks, and 
lost it, although Mr. Vanderhurst went to 
Nevada in 1863, and remained there until 
the following year, trying to make something 
out of their interest. In 1864 he returned 
to Watsonville and secured employment as 
hookkeeper for E. L. Goldstein & Company, 



and in January of the following year was 
admitted to partnership, remaining there un- 
til January 1, 1868. On May 1 of that year 
he formed a partnership with Charles Ford 
and Lucius Sanborn (L. R. Porter being sub- 
sequently admitted to the firm), and went to 
Salinas. The town had been laid out the 
preceding February, and their store was 
among the first buildings to be erected. They 
opened their store for business August 25, 

1868, which has been from the first the 
leading mercantile institution of the county. 
The firm has large interests outside of their 
regular lines, being one of the principal 
owners in the Gas and Water Company, which 
has recently put in the Thomson-Houston 
system of electric lights in Salinas. They 
have three stoi'es in Salinas and a branch 
store at King City. 

His well-known ability and correct princi- 
ples from the first, singled him out as a de- 
sirable person for public office. He whs one 
of the first trustees of Salinas, and one of 
the first Councilmen after the town was in- 
corporated. He was a member of the coun- 
cil at the time the streets were macadauiized 
and the sidewalks laid out. He was also ex 
officio Mayor of Salinas for six months. 

He is a prominent Mason, and assisted in 
organizing a Masonic lodge in Salinas in 

1869, of which he was the first Senior War- 
den, and afterward Master for three years. 
He was the first High Priest of the chapter 
of the R. A. M., of Galinas, and the first 
Generalissimo of the Watsonville Com- 
mandery Knights Templars, subsequently 
filling the office of Commander for two years. 
He is Past Grand Priest of the Grand Chap 
ter R. A. M , of California, and is also 
Deputy Grand Commander of the Grand 
Commandery of California. He also belongs 
to the 1. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. He is 



■AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



president of the Van derlmrst- San born Com- 
pany, president of the Monterey County 
Bank, and vice-president of the Board of 
Trade. He owns considerable real estate in 
the county, and is largely interested in fann- 
ing and stock-raising. 

He was married December 3, 1856, to Miss 
Jane Hatch, and they have had ten children, 
seven of whom, four boys and three girls, 
are living, the oldest daughter being mar- 
ried and residing in San Francisco. 

In domestic, private and public life he has 
ever been the same intelligent, conscientious 
and genial person, eliciting the i-espect and 
retaining the friendship of all who know 



him. 



■^^^i^yl2^^?/?/i^^ 



l^HILIP KING.— The gentleman whose 
^^ name appears at the opening of this 
^r sketch has been a resident of California 
since 1870, when he came to this State from 
Bates connty, Missouri. He is a native of 
York county, Pennsylvania, where he was 
born, November 21, 1812. He is a miller 
and during his earlier manhood pursued that 
calling. 

July 24, 1833, he married Miss Hannah 
Lovelers, a native of Monmouth county, New 
Jersey, born March 21, 1813, at Medina, 
Oliio. Her father, Thomas Lovelers, was a 
farmer by occupation and was born in Marion 
county, New Jersey, where he married Sarah 
Sproles, who bore him eight sons and two 
daughters, and of these ten children, Mrs. 
King is the oldest, the other members of her 
family being: Aaron, William, Jofeph, Thom- 
as, George, John, Firman, Erskine and Eliz- 
abeth. 

The father of Mr. Piiilip King, George 
King, was born in Pennsylvania, of German 
parents. Of his ten children, Philip was the 



third. Upon coming to California, Mr. Philip 
King located in the Salinas valley, where he 
resided a short time, then lived in Santa Cruz 
county for five years, whereupon he returned 
to Salinas, where he still resides. In 1877 
Mr. and Mrs. King went to live with a son, 
where they now are, in Salinas. Mr. and Mrs. 
King have two sons and two daughters, 
namely: William, a thrifty farmer and es- 
teemed citizen of Salinas; Sarah, now Mrs. 
John Sexton, of Salinas; Mary E., now Mrs. 
A. J. Chaney, of Hollister; and Luther, of 
Hanford, Tulare county, California; seven 
children are deceased. Mr. King and his 
wife are devoted members of the Methodist 
Church of Salinas and are highly respected by 
all who know them for their sterling traits of 
character and personal worth. 

William King, above mentioned as the old- 
est son of Mr. and Mrs. King, was born March 
11, 1855, in Licking county, Ohio. In 1879 
he married Miss Mary E., daughter of R. W. 
Carr, but after a few brief months of happy 
married life she passed away, October 2, 1879. 
He owns fifty acres of the best land in the 
Salinas valley, upon which he has erected a 
tine residence and commodious out-buildings. 
Both Philip and William King are repre- 
sentative citizens of the Salinas valley and 
enjoy the respect and esteem of all who know 
them. 

i;m,W^KlHAEL WALLACE, a well-known 
IjlMrlt citizen throughout the Salinas valley, 
^^^ is a resident of Monterey county, 
since 1868. This gentleman is a native of 
Ireland, having been born in that land, in 
Gal way county, November 4, 1839. Mr. Wal- 
lace left his native country, after arriving at 
years of maturity, and sailed for Australia, 
where he spent some time in Sydney, that 



MONTE RE r, SAN BENITO, SANTA URUZ, 



country. Later he lived on the island of New- 
Zealand and from that place came to the Pa- 
cific coast. After arrival in the '' Golden 
State" he worked for the Southern Pacific 
Railroad Company for a while, giving entire 
satisfaction to his employers. 

In 1873 he located at Salinas and now con- 
ducts one of the best regulated hotels in the 
city. It has nine rooms. 

Mr. Wallace married Miss Ellen O'Connor, 
of San Francisco. To Mr. and Mrs. Wallace 
have been born five children, namely: Mary, 
Ellen, Walter, Katie and Hannah. Mr. Wal- 
lace enjoys the respect and esteem of all who 
know him, and does a flourishing business in 
the city of Salinas. 

jaASH CORWITH BRIGGS was a na- 
Wiuj tive of Missouri, where, in the town 
^l| of Hannibal, in the year 1838, he was 
born. His father was a practicing attorney 
and a man of ability, who saw the boy re- 
ceived every advantage of education that the 
neighborhood afforded, both in Missouri and 
in Grant county, Wisconsin, where the fam- 
ily moved when our subject was about 
ten years old. In 1852, the father decided to 
" cast his lines" in California; upon arrival in 
California, the family, consisting of father, 
mother and two children, took up their 
residence in Olita, Amador county, subse- 
quently removing to Jackson, the county-seat, 
where Mr. Briggs, the elder, began the prac- 
tice of his profession, and soon built up a 
lucrative business. 

For some years after the removal of the 
family to this State, our subject attended the 
public school, and devoted leisure hours to 
studying, in his fathers's law office, the pri- 
mary principles of law, for which profession 



he had always exhibited a decided penchant. 
At the age of twenty-one he was admitted to 
practice before the District Court of Ama- 
dor county, and subsequently before the Su- 
preme Court of the State of California. He 
thereupon entered into active practice, with 
his father, where he remained until 1864, 
when he branched out for himself and re- 
moved to Silver Mountain, which was to be 
the county seat of Alpine county, then about 
to be organized. The prestige which the 
young man had secured, and the skill he had 
displayed while with his father, were very 
soon recognized; for upon the founding of 
the new county, Mr. Briggs, then a young 
man of only twenty-six, was made District 
Attorney, by the vote of the people, and 
upon the expiration of his office he was 
elected a second time. 

Mr. Briggs continued to make his residence 
on Silver Mountain, until 1869, when the 
mining, on which Alpine county depended, 
began to wane, and he began to cast about 
him for a county with a more promising 
future. San Benito county was then a 
part of Monterey. Although hue sparsely 
settled the soil was rich, fertile and produc- 
tive. The main line of the Southern Pacific 
Railroad Company was surveyed, and e^ery 
indication pointed to the organization of a 
new county, with Hollister, which was then 
in embryo, as its seat of government. Mr. 
Briggs decided that these inducements were 
sufficient to bring him to the county, and 
he has never had cause to regret his " change 
of base." As soon as he was settled he 
began the practice of his profession and from 
the beginning took an interest in public and 
county affairs. He was chosen the attor- 
ney for the San Jnsto Homestead Associa- 
tion, a company which was formed for the 
purpose of purchasing from W. W. Hollister, 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



377 



after whom the town was subsequently named, 
21,000 acres of land, and dividine; it into nu- 
merous small homesteads, one or more of 
which was allotted to each member of the 
association. This association was practically 
instrumental in calling the town of HoUister, 
into existence, and figured very prominently 
in its affairs at that time. The enterprise 
was a success, and brought much immigration 
of a desirable kind, and Mr. Briggs' connec- 
tion with it brought hiin plenty of busi- 
ness. It likewise gave him prestige and 
standing. He assisted in the incorpora- 
tion of both the county and town, drew up 
the charter for each, and upon the organiza- 
tion of San Benito county he was elected its 
first District Attorney, which he filled for 
two terms of two years each. He had much 
to do with shaping land matters and getting 
titles perfected for settlers and others; hence 
from his vast experience he is a recognized 
authority and is able to pass readily on the 
most complicated land questions. He is 
personally acquainted with nearly every acre 
of land and every land-holder throughout 
the entire county. 

Mr. Briggs has never speculated to any 
great extent, nor grown ricli on land-value 
enhancements, but has accumulated what he 
now possesses by hard work and untiring 
energy, intelligently directed. Mr. Briggs 
is of very active temperament, a rapid thinker, 
prompt to act, and quick to take advantage 
of opportunities that come in his way. He 
has always taken an active interest in any 
project conducive to the welfare of the com- 
munity, and to all such he is a liberal contrib- 
utor. He is prominently connected with the 
warehouse business, which is one of the prin- 
cipal features of the town of HoUister, and 
is secretary of the HoUister Warehouse 
Company. He is a stockholder ami director 



in the Gas Works Company, the Water 
Works Company, was one of the organizers 
of the Bank of HoUister, and is now one of 
the principal stockholders 

Mr. Briggs married, in 1866, in Amador 
county. Miss Annie E. Barton, who is an 
estimable lady, the partner of her husband's 
joys and sorrows. His surviving family, which 
in addition to himself and wife consists of 
two sons, one a boy of thirteen, and the other 
a young business man of twenty-one, resides 
in a handsome residence adjoining the court- 
house on Fifth street. 

Mr. Briggs, during his long residence in 
San Benito county, has conducted all his 
dealings in a manner, which has secured for 
him the respect and esteem of the entire 
community. 



j/^EORGE ALLEN was of Scotch- English 
nW parentage, born in Ireland. His par- 
W^ ents were said to have been Quakers. 
He came to Monterey in 1821, being then 
twenty-six years of age. He was baptized 
as Josef Jorge Tomas, at San Carlos, in 1824, 
and in 1826 was united in marriage with 
Petra Bordonda, a native of San Jose, their 
marriage taking place when she was foui-teen 
years of age. He was naturalized in 1829. 
In company with William Galbatch, he kept 
a store and inn at Monterey. He sold 
his interest in this in 1830, to a man named 
Mclntirh. He was a man of remarkable 
versatility and was pi-ofessionally inclined. 
On frequent occasions he acted as surgeon 
and dentist, and was at various times con- 
nected with the municipal government; and 
in 1836 he was Treasurer of the municipal- 
ity. In 1842 he was a Justice of the Peace. 
He acquired some property in San Francisco, 
but never lived there. In 1844-'45 he taught 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, 8ANTA OliUZ, 



school, having received his appointment as 
teacher from the Mexican Government. Tn 
1845-'46 he was an efficient clerk in the 
United States consulate, under Officer Larkin, 
beint; an expert penman and having an excel- 
lent education. He died in Monterey, in 
1847, leaving the following children : Miguel, 
born in 1827; Jose George, born in 1883; 
Alonzo E., September 25, 1845; and Guada- 
lupe, who married Dr. Marlen ot San Jose. 
Alonzo E. Allen is a native of Monterey, 
born September 25, 1845. He resided in 
Monterey from birth np to his sixteenth year, 
when, tiring of home restraint, he set out to 
make his fortune by his own personal en- 
deavors. He betook himself to Nevada, 
which State was then the seat of the greatest 
mining activity, and where sturdy labor com- 
manded the most remunerative reward. Hav- 
ing seen and experienced all the great tri- 
umphs and reversals of fortune in the fickle 
Sage Bush State, and, believing a brighter 
field of action presented itself in Arizona, he 
struck out for the land of the cactus and 
merciless Apache. But experience soon 
taught him that " all that glitters is not 
gold." He, however, remained for some 
time; but all the while his inclination led 
him to desert the southern wilds and once 
more seek the balmy breezes and fragrant 
flowers of the matchless El Dorado of his 
early boyhood. He decided to return, and 
next found himself in charge of a lumber 
camp on Halfmoon Bay, where he remained 
for two years. 

Mr. Allen was married May 13, 1874, to 
Miss Dolores Munras, a wealthy lady of Mon- 
terey. Since his marriage he has devoted his 
time to superintending his wife's large landed 
estate, and in 1887 he took up his home in 
Monterey, having erected one of the most 
cosy and beautiful homes on the bay. 



He is a member of the N. S. G. W., Mon- 
terey Lodge, JSTo. 75, and also a member of 
the Y. M. I., Lodge No. 57. 



f ARSON JENSEN was born inSchleswig- 
Holstein, Prussia, September 10, 1848. 
He remained with his parents until 1868, 
when he left his native country for the United 
States. He landed at New York in the spring 
of 1868, and at once found employment in 
that city. After remaining in New York one 
year, he came in 1869 to California. Fiist 
he went to Monterey county, where he pur- 
chased a ranch and began stock-raising. He 
was in this business until 1884. That year 
he sold his stock ranch and came to HoUister, 
the county seat of San Benito county, and 
since then has been engaged in the hotel busi- 
ness here. As a genial and obliging host, he 
is well-known and is popular with the travel- 
ing public. 

He was married in 1885 to Miss Juliet 
Rouk, and Carson Jensen, Jr., is their only 
child. 

Mr. Jensen is one of the pioneers of San 
Benito county, and indeed may be called one 
of its founders. 



fDWARD B. MONTGOMERY.— One 
of the most enterprising young men in 
San Benito county, California, is Edward 
B. Montgomery, who recently entered upon 
he duties of County Treasurer, having re- 
ceived the largest vote polled by any candi- 
date who appeared before the people of this 
county for their suffrage at the election in 
x890. 

Edward B. Montgomery was born in San 



AND SAN MATEO COUNflES. 



Jose, Santa Clara couuty, California, June 18, 
1867. He removed with his father's family 
to Hollister in 1872, and has since resided 
continuously at this place. His education was 
gained in the public schools. In May, 1887, 
when but twenty years of age, he was elected 
Town Treasurer, which position he has since 
filled with honor and credit. Several years 
ago he commenced business as a real-estate 
and insurance agent, and has enjoyed a most 
successful career. He is an active member 
of Mound Lodge, No. 66, I. O. O. F.; San 
Benito Lodge. No. 96, A. 0. U. AV.; and Fre- 
mont Parlor, No. 44, N. S. G. W. 

— — ■^'■^' i' 'J " (j'"*^— ■ 

fRADLET V. SARGENT, Jr., is a 
native of Monterey county, born on the 
Sau Carlos ranch in Carmel valley, July 
5, 1863. He was reared on this ranch until 
lie reached the age of ten, when the family 
removed to Monterey. Here he attended the 
public schools until 1881, when he was sent 
to a Jesuit college. He was graduated from 
this noted seat of learning in 1884, receiving 
the degree of B. A., and a year later the 
same institution conferred upon him the de- 
gree of Master of Science. In September, 
1885, he entered Yale College, remained 
there two years and completed a thorough 
course of law, receiving his diploma in 1887. 
On his return to California be was in poor 
health, due to severe application to study; so, 
to regain his accustomed good health, he re- 
turned to the freedom of the ranch, where he 
had been an expert in riding spirited horses, 
and in the use of the riata. He also worked 
in the Los Burros mines for some months. 
After some tinae he went to San Francisco 
and entered the office of E. B. Stenehill, the 
(iistrict attorney, by whom he was employed 



as Assistant District Attorney until August, 
1888. In this office he found excellent op- 
portunities for perfecting himself for the office 
to which he was called by the vote of the 
people, later on. As he possessed exceptional 
qualification for public speaking, he was called 
upon by the Democratic Central Committee 
to canvass the southern part of the State in 
connection with Hon. Thomas Geary, then a 
candidate for Congress in that section. Mr. 
Sargent began the practice of law in Salinas, 
late in 1888, and in the May following was 
appointed Assistant District Attorney, under 
James A. Wall. He served in this position 
until 1890, when he was elected District At- 
torney of Monterey county. 

Mr. Sargent is a member of the Native 
Sons of the Golden West and Past President 
of Santa Lucia Parlor. He is also a member 
of the State Bar Association. This gentle- 
man is orie of the most influential of the 
young lawyers of California, and fair is the 
future before him. 



I^RANK D. SHERMAN, of Hollister, San 
fH Benito county, California, was born in 
^^ AVisconsin, December 16, 1854. At the 
age of five years, in company with his parents, 
he left his native home and started for the 
great State of California. They first located 
at Oroville, Yuba county, remaining there one 
year. Next we find them at Grass Valley, 
Nevada county, which place continued to be 
their home until 1870, when they took up 
their abode in Hollister, Monterey county, 
now San Benito county. Here he and his 
father opened a blacksmithing and wagon- 
making business. The firm now consists of 
F. D. Sherman & Brother, who are doing a 
thriving business. 



MONTE RET, SAM BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



Mr. Sherman was marrietl to Miss Mary 
"W. Young, January 1, 1875, in Santa Clara 
county, near San .lose. His mother is still 
living, and is now sixty-three years of age. 

Although comparatively a young man, Mr. 
Sherman is a pioneer. He has thoroughly 
identified himself with the best interests of 
his town, and is one of its highly respected 
citizens. 

fG. A R M S T R O N G, a representative 
agriculturist of Salinas, is a native of 
® Delaware county, New York, born in 
Bovina, in 1834. His father, John Arm- 
strong, was a farmer by occupation and a 
native of the Empire State, who married Isa- 
bel Coutter. 

Our subject came to California in 1868 
and purchased 160 acres of land, near Salinas, 
which is his present home. To this he has 
made extensive additions, until he now is 
the owner of 2,859 acres of good farming and 
grazing lands. The home is one of the most 
attractive in its surroundings and arrange- 
ments in the Salinas valley. 

In 1861 our subject married Miss Christi- 
ana Smith, a lady of excellent traits of 
character and great domestic thrift. She has 
borne her husband three children, namely: 
John A., Edwin and Nellie, all of whom are 
at home. 

Mr. Armstrong stands in the front rank 
of those of his calling and is a thorough- 
ffoing business man. 



fDWARD INGRAM, a native of Cali- 
fornia ami a well-known business man of 
Monterey, was born in Sonoma county, 
palifornia, January 23, 1855. His father, 



Thomas W. Ingram, came to the State in 
1851, reaching RIacerville, then Hangtown. 
The winter of 1851-'52, he spent in the Salt 
Lake valley, on his way overland. He was 
born in Muhlenberg county, Kentucky, No- 
vember 17, 1825, and is a son of Isaac In- 
gram, a farmer by occupation. Of a family 
of nine children, Thomas W. was the young- 
est. Upon arrival in California he spent 
several months in the mines of El Dorado 
county, on the middle fork of Feather river. 
In 1852 he squatted on land in Napa valley, 
Sonoma county, and here married Miss Isa- 
bella Walker, a daughter of Joel Walker, 
who was a bi-other of Captain Joe Walker, 
the veritable "pathfinder" and explorer. 
Mrs. Ingram was born in Missouri and came 
with her parents across the plains when a 
mere child. Mr. Ingram lived in Napa val- 
ley but a short time, and then removed to 
Sonoma county, where he lived about twenty 
years. He then came to Monterey county, 
in the fall of 1873, located at the Sur, from 
1873 to 1882. The time intervening be- 
tween 1882 and 1889, he spent in Napa 
county, and since that time has been engaged 
in the dairy business at Monterey, where he 
is much esteemed. Mrs. Ingram died in 
1878, leaving eleven children, namely; Ed- 
ward; Isaac J.; John F.; Emma, who is the 
wife of William S. Kuykendall, of Sonoma; 
Mary L., who married Z. F. Barnes, of Mon- 
terey, and is now deceased; Fannie; Ada, 
who is the widow of Charles Kenedy, of 
Sonoma; Ella M., deceased, who married 
Robert F. Rogers, of Sonoma; George P.; 
Olive; and Edna B. 

Edward, the oldest of the family, came to 
Monterey county, in 1872. He spent ten 
years on a ranch, and in 1882 removed to 
Monterey city and entered the butchering 
business, which he has continuously followed 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



381 



ever since. He is well known throughout 
the county for his enterprise and business 
thrift, the firm Ingrain Brothers being one 
of the most successful in its line in the 
county. Mr. Ingram has been identified 
with the civil growth of Monterey. He held 
the Postmastership of Monterey for three 
years, under President Cleveland's adminis- 
tration, and resigned upon the election of 
President Harrison. He is an influential 
Democrat and a leading member of the City 
Board of Trustees. 

Mr. Ingram was married, April 12, 1878, 
to Miss Emma Tubbett, of Oakland. She is 
a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and they 
have four children, namely: Kinza, Edgar, 
Eugene and James. 

Mr. Ingram is public-spirited and enter- 
prising, and has invested his capital liberally 
in banking and electric light development in 
the city, both of which enterprises have had 
much to do with the modern development of 
old Monterey. 



tIRAM WATSON, deceased, is repre- 
sented at Paicines by Mrs. Ellen Wat- 
son, his estimable wife and her family. 
Mr. Watson was born May 15, 1837, in 
Scott county. West Virginia, and came to 
California with the family of his father, 
Jacob Watson, deceased. Mr. Watson was 
a frugal, industrious man, which character- 
istics are common in all the members of the 
Watson family in San Benito county. 

Mr. Watson married Miss Ellen Clem- 
mons, October 3, 1869. Slie was born 
April 14, 1855, daughter of Levi and Cyn- 
thia (Claffin) Clemmons, the former a well- 
known citizen and farmer of Paicines, San 
Benito county, for twenty-three years. He 



came to California from MeHenry county, 
Illinois, and died September 17, 1891. His 
wife passed away at Paicines, in 1875, aged 
fifty-six years. The following children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Watson: Phoebe L., 
born April 2, 1871; Cynthia J., born Novem- 
ber 5, 1872; Mattie M., born December 15, 
1874; Callie C, born September 11, 1877; 
Melvin H., born January 25, 1887. They 
reside on the homestead, consisting of 285 
acres of fine land. Mrs. Watson is a prac- 
tical business woman of quiet manners and 
social nature. She is a leading member of 
the Paicines Baptist Church, of which she 
was one of the organizers. Perhaps a short 
history of its organization would not be in- 
appropriate in the sketch of the good woman 
who did so much to make it a success. The 
First Baptist Church of Paicines was organ- 
ized September 1, 1891. The Rev. W. E. 
Adams officiated and the following were the 
members: Mr. and Mrs. James Watson, Mrs. 
Ellen Watson and T. J. Carlisle and the 
trustees, T. J. Carlisle, Mrs. Ellen Watson 
and William Macllway. Mrs. Ellen Watson 
was clerk, and Mrs. James Watson, treasurer. 
A commodious church has been erected, 
prayer-meeting service is held weekly, with 
G. W. Chick as leader. The Sunday-school 
is in a flourishing condition. 

fOSE M. ESCOBAR was born in Mon- 
terey, California, January, 10, 1848, son 
of Jose Mario Escobar and Ascension, 
nee Beronda. He had to struggle for him- 
self in early life, his father having died when 
he was quite young, and found employment 
on the Laureles and Buena Vista ranches. 
He is now engaged in farming and stock- 
raising, and lives on his own ranch in the 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



Malarin precinct, better known as the Lime- 
kiln, seven miles north of Gonzales. 

April 18, 1881, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Amanda Cantiir, and their union 
has been blessed with one child. 

fATRICK JORDAN, a well-known mer- 
chant of Castroville, was born in east 
Canada, near Quebec on November 14, 
1842. His father, James Jordan, was a 
farmer by occupation and married Miss Cath- 
erine Bulger, both being of Irish birth, he 
coming to America in 1832. They were the 
parents of eleven children, of whom the sub- 
ject of this sketch is the second child. 

Patrick came to California in 1869 and 
worked on a ranch in Santa Clara county for 
three years, and in 1873 embarked in the 
mercantile business in Castroville, in which 
he has continued ever since. 

Mr. Jordan is a successful business man 
and he and his wife ai"e higiily esteemed by 
their large circle of friends. 

His marriage occurred in 1873, to Miss 
Jane Whalen, a native of West Canada, and 
they have one son, James P. 



fHARLES T. ROMIE is a leading citi- 
zen of Monterey. His father, John F. 
Komie, a native of Berlin, Germany, 
was a merchant tailor by trade and occupa- 
tion. He came to California as early as 1841 
and pursued his trade at Monterey until the 
spring of 1848. He then spent the fall of 
that year and the spring of the following 
year at Hangtown, where he contracted a 
sickness, from the eflf'ects of which he died, in 
the fall of that year, aged about fifty. Tlie 



mother, a most estimable woman lived to the 
ripe old age of seventy-six, and died in Mon- 
terey, in 1888. Mr. Romie has a personal 
acquaintance with General Sutter, which fact 
influenced him to emigrate from Germany to 
California. The children of this family are 
as follows: Ernest, a resident of San Fran- 
cisco, and manager of the Espenosa estate; 
Paul T., the youngest son of the family, was 
born in Monterey and is a i-esident of Salinas; 
Louise, an older member of the family died 
soon after arrival in California; Mary C. is 
now Mrs. David Jacks, of Monterey, and 
Charles T., the subject of this sketch. 

The subject of this sketch has been a con- 
tinuous and influential citizen of Monterey 
county from boyhood. He has engaged ex- 
tensively in the stock-raising business, and 
owns large tracts of land at and in the vicin- 
ity of Soledad, amounting to about 10,000 
acres. He is likewise engaged in grain rais- 
ing on a portion of his estate. As he is an 
astute business man he has been very success- 
ful, and enjoys the esteem of a large circle of 
friends. The county testified her appreciation 
of his services by electing him to tlie County 
Board of Supervisors. 



fHEBERT.— The biographies and rem- 
iniscences of the early settlers of 
* California would be an interesting 
contribution to literature. The hardships 
they endured, the reverses they met and over- 
came, the amusing positions in which they 
were often placed, and finally the success 
which has crowned the efforts of many of 
them, would form a picture strong in de- 
tail and contrast, in which the skillful artist 
could so dispose the lights and shades that 
something would strike a sympathetic chord 
in every heart. 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



The subject of this sketch has been the 
hero of many adventures, but his buoyant, 
fun-loving disposition has caused him to 
always see the ludicrous phase of every situ- 
ation, and from temporary reverses and mis- 
fortunes he has always rallied, and at the 
sound of the bell was on the track ready to 
"trot tliem another heat." 

Z. Hebert was born at Breaux Bridge, St. 
Martin parish, Louisiana, January 17, 1826. 
His father was a farmer and planter, and 
young Hebert's education was received at 
Breaux Bridge prior to the age of fifteen, at 
which time he left home and went to New 
Orleans, relinquishing his interest in his 
father's estate to his brothers and sisters. 
After following various occupations iiere, he 
started for California, in 1850, via Chagres 
and Panama. His capital consisted of $700. 
After walking from Chagres to Panama he 
was in a badly used-up condition, and his 
mental condition was not improved on learn- 
ing that a steamer ticket for San Francisco 
would cost $500. He finally secured passage 
for $75 on the brig W. Brown, but was tliree 
months at sea, a part of the time on very 
short allowance of food and water. During 
the voyage the passengers were compelled to 
take possession of the vessel, put a drunken 
captain in irons, and place the second mate in 
command. Such were the privations and 
dangers of this voyage that Mr. Hebert re- 
solved never to go home until he could go by 
land. 

When he arrived in San Francisco he was 
surprised to see so much gambling and such 
a quantity of gold bars and gold-dust. The 
killing of a man every day was not unusual. 
Mr. Hebert immediately secured work in a 
butcher shop and grocery store, at $200 per 
month, and subsequently opened a butcher 
sliop, on the corner of Jackson and Dupont 



streets. He made about $3,000 here, when 
his partner got the gold fever and they started 
for tlie mines. But his raining experience 
was disastrous. There was an ill omen at the 
start. Their pack mule ran away and scattered 
their pans and other mining paraphernalia 
along the trail. Soon after he returned from 
the mines he opened a butcher's stall and 
subsequently started a wholesale butcher 
business, and commenced dealing in sheep, 
with a man by the name of Sedgley for part- 
ner. 

In 1865 he bought 3,000 acres of land at 
Natividad, Monterey coimty, which he still 
owns. He came to Monterey county to re- 
side in 1868, and has ever since been prom- 
inently identified with the county. He has 
been a life member ever since its organiza- 
tiou of the Monterey District Agricultural 
Association, and owns some good trotting 
stock. He was one of the founders of Salinas 
City Bank, and is still a stockholder. He is 
frank, broad and liberal in his views, and 
generous to a fault. 

ll^HOMAS M. LYNN, a well-known 
W^W resident of Peach Tree valley, has 
W^ resided there since 1873, engaged in 
agricultural pursuits. He formerly was a 
resident of the Santa Ana valley, near Hol- 
lister. Mr. Lynn is a son of James Lynn, a 
pioneer of 1847, who came across the plains 
to California from Jackson county, Missouri. 
He was one of the first explorers of the far 
northern country and established the trails 
over which so many thousands found their 
way to the coast. His estimable wife was 
Mary Haun, a native of Missouri, and of her 
eight children the subject of tiiis sketch is 
the youngest. 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



Mr. Lynn, our subject, was born in Jack- 
son county, Misspuri, March 27, 1844, and 
came to the coast with his father, James 
Lynn, and the family first settled in the 
Santa Clara Valley, where the father pur- 
sued his trade of millwright, in the redwoods 
of that county. Later he moved tu Santa 
Cruz, where he erected the first sawmill of 
that place. Upon the discovery of gold he 
went to HangtowD, now Placerville, and 
mined there for six years. In 1848 Mrs. 
Lynn died. She was the first white woman 
in Hangtown and was greatly beloved by 
her family and friends. Mr. Lynn split the 
stakes and erected the first redwood house 
in the town of Santa Clara. He died, 
December 14, 1867, on the ranch, near 
Santa Clara, California, where he had finally 
located. 

Our subject was married at Watsonville, 
to Miss Mary, daughter of Joseph V. Mat- 
this, one of the very earliest settlers of San 
Benito county and now a resident of Hollis- 
ter, where he is esteemed as a California 
pioneer and citizen. Mrs. Lynn was born at 
Springfield, Sangamon county, Illinois, 
January 10, 1850. She is a lady of strong 
force of character, frugal and domestic in her 
tastes and has great executive ability. Mr. 
and Mrs. Lynn have two children, namely: 
Luna, Mrs. George Deward, Jr., of Peach 
Tree valley, born March 11, 1870, and 
George W., born February 22, 1874. Mr. 
and Mrs. Lynn located on their present 
home in Peach Tree, in 1874, where they 
have a fine ranch. 



fHILlP MACDONALD, one of the 
leading dairymen in Monterey county, 
came to California in 1864 from Ontario 
Canada. 



Born in Prince Edward county, Canada, 
February 11, 1845, the son of Henry Macdon- 
ald, a farmer by occupation, was reared on 
a farm, and was engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits previous to his coming to this coast. 
After his arrival in California he resided in 
Marin county four years, Fresno county two 
years, and then in Santa Cruz county till 1872, 
when he came to Monterey county. He leased 
and operated the Haight ranch two years, after 
which he came to his present location in Car- 
mel valley. This property he leases of James 
Meadows. He owns his stock, keeping about 
one hundred and twenty cows. The butter 
he manufactures iu his dairy is of the best 
quality, and always commands the highest 
market price. 

Mr. Macdonald was married in Monterey 
county to Miss Ellen Flood, a native of New 
York city. Her father, James Flood, is a 
pioneer of San Rafael, California, and is by 
occupation a dairyman. Mr. and Mrs. Mac- 
donald have six children. Of Mr. Macdonald's 
parents, it should be stated that his father 
was a Highland Scotchman, and his mother, 
nee Hannah Pettingill, a native of Albany. 



mON. SAMUEL B. GORDON.— There 
^Mh ^'^ ^'^^ pioneers of California more 
■^(f widely or favorably known than the sub- 
ject of this sketch. 

He was born in Pendleton, South Carolina, 
January 17, 1828, and while an infant moved 
with his parents, Thomas F. and Lovina 
(Powell) Gordon, to Georgia, locating near 
Clarksville. Later they moved to Walker 
county, same State. His father was a planter 
and slaveholder, and on the farm Samuel B. 
was reared. At the age of twenty-one years 
he left home and came to California, making 



AlfD SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



the journey hither via Cape Horn, aud arriv- 
ing in San Francisco in 1850. While in 
Habersham county, Georgia, a mining dis- 
trict, his father liad giving some attention to 
gold mining, and with him the son had gained 
some experience in that line. He accordingly, 
upon coming to California, proceeded to the 
mining districts with machinery, whicli he had 
brought with him. He found it of no practical 
use, however, in California raining, and never 
utilized it. He worked in the mines of Yuba 
with pick and shovel, owned claims, and pur- 
sued the business according to the customs of 
early mining days, remaining thus engaged 
only about one year. He then turned his at- 
tention to farming about five miles north of 
San Jose, where he remained two years, after 
which he removed to Redwood City, San 
Mateo county. At the latter place he did a 
lumbering business. 

In 1857 Mr. Gordon was elected to the 
California State Legislature from San Mateo 
county, and served his constituents with 
marked ability and discretion, doing important 
committee work. He was the first Represen- 
tative sent from the San Mateo district to tiie 
Legislature. He is a Democrat. He subse- 
quently served as ex-officio Superintendent of 
Public Schools of his county, and still later 
as County Assessor. 

He came to Monterey county in 1859 and 
located the Tularcitos and Little Tularcitos 
ranchos, one and a half leagues, and engaged 
in raising horses, mules, cattle and sheep. 
There he remained until 1888, acquiring 
ownership to about 5,000 acres of land, and 
doing an eminently successful business. In 
1888 he disposed of his landed interests, came 
to Monterey and later to Pacific Grove. At 
the latter place he built a fine residence and 
is now living, retired from active business. 

Mr. Gordon was married December 11, 



1859, to Miss Nancy J. Whisman, daughter 
of John Whisman, deceased. Her father, a 
native of Virginia, emigrated to Missouri, and 
hence crossed the plains in 1847, locating in 
Santa Clara county. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon 
have had eight children, six of whom are now 
living. 

tDECARLI, a prosperous farmer and 
dairyman of Carmel valley, Monterey 
* county, California, was born in canton 
Ticino, Switzerland, in 1861. His people 
were dairy farmers, and to that occupation he 
was reared in his native land. He came direct 
to California from Switzerland, and located in 
Carmel valley in 1886, having, however, 
worked on various dairy farms by the month 
prior to that time. 

In Carmel valley he was married, in 1888, 
to Miss Jessie Machado, a daughter of Chris- 
tian Machado of the San Carlos Mission 
ranch. Mrs. Decarli was born at the mission. 
Tliey have two children. 

Mr. Decarli has recently purchased the 
Thomas Bralee ranch, consisting of about 
1,200 acres, and is doing a successful business, 
also is a representative of his race in Monte- 
rey county. 



fCTAVINOBORONDA.— The Boronda 
family name is a familiar one in the 
annals of the Salinas valley. Jose 
Eusibio Boronda was the grantee of a large 
tract of land from the Mexican Government 
in 1840, known in those days as Rinconda 
del Zanjon, but later became familiarly known 
as the Boronda rancho. He is said to have 
been a son of Manuel and Gertrudis Higera, 
his wife, and was a brother of Canute Bo- 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, 8 ANT A CRUZ, 



rondo, both of whom were actively engaged 
in the early history of California. 

In 1836 Jose Eusebio was majordomo of 
the Virjelus ranehe and seems from the re- 
cords to have been a man of affairs, attending 
to the business for others and in 1841 he held 
the office of Juez de paz. 

This gentleman married Josefa Buelna, who 
was the daughter of Joaquin Buelna, who also 
was well known for his many business suc- 
cesses and good traits of character. The Bo- 
ronda adobe still stands as one of the conspicu- 
ous land marks of early days. The rancho 
has been subdivided and sold off, but parts of 
it still are owned and occupied by the two 
sons of Jose Boronda. 

Octavino Boronda, the subject of this 
sketch, is the eldest of the two sons of Jose 
Eusibio Boronda and he was boru in the old 
adobe, above mentioned, March 22, 1847. He 
was married in 1881 to Senora Josefa Sober- 
anes, a daughter of Don Francisco Soberanes 
and they have a family of three daughters, 
Josie, Jennie and Julia. 

The home of Senor Boronda is one of the 
most attractive in the valley and is located 
about one and one-half miles north of Salinas 
and the farm comprises seventy- three acres 
Tlie Senor is a nian of line appearance and 
his wife and children are intelligent and 
pleasing. 



fiM. KELEHER.— This gentleman has 
been a resident of California since 
" 1853, although he is a native of Cork 
county, Ireland, where he was boru Decem- 
ber 14, 1830. At the age of twenty he emi- 
grated to America, landing in New York, in 
1850. From this city he went to Boston, 
where he remained three years and then sailed 
from the latter city to California, in 1853, 



via Isthmus of Panama. After living in 
this State until 1868, he took up his resi- 
dence in the Salinas valley, where he engaged 
in farming on the Santa Rita ranch. Here 
he purchased 200 acres of Don Manuel Soto, 
lived on it and cultivated it until 1888, when 
he sold the same and located at Salinas. 

Mr. Keleher has been married twice, the 
first time to Julia Coughlin, by whom he had 
one son, Ernest, now deceased. Mrs. Keleher 
died, and her husband married in 1880 Miss 
Rose Kern, of San Jose. They have one 
daughter, Rose. This family reside in a very 
pleasant home of twenty-eight acres of well 
improved land adjoining the city of Salinas, 
where they dispense hospitality to their many 
friends. 



fBENEZER F. HARRIS, a California 
pioneer, came to the State as early as 
1850. He is a native of Rowan county, 
Nortii Carolina, and was born May 10, 1833. 
His father, Jesse Harris, was a successful cot- 
ton planter and tobacco grower, who left 
North Carolina and removed to Missouri, lo- 
cating in Nodaway county. 

Our subject lived with his parents until 
about seventeen years of age, when he came 
to the Golden State and spent six years in 
the mines of El Dorado county. He was a 
successful miner, but sold his interests in 
1856, and went to San Francisco. From 
there he went to the Salinas valley, where 
he farmed for two years, and in 1858 he 
again went to the mines and spent a year 
there, but returned to Salinas valley the fol- 
lowing year. 

In 1860 he married Loviua, a daughter of 
the late George Groves, a respected pioneer 
of Salinas. Mrs. Harris died, July 16, 1886, 
aged fifty-two years, leaving four sons and 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



387 



one daughter, namely: Thomas, a farmer of 
Salinas; George, of San Lucas; Martin and 
Edgar of Salinas; Maria is the wife of Sal- 
vino Boronda, a farmer of Salinas. 

Mr. Harris pursued farming for twenty- 
two years at Salinas, and finally retired from 
active life. A man of industry, he found no 
satisfaction in idleness, so purchased an in- 
terest in the Fashion livery stables of Mr. S. 
Leon, and now devotes a share of his time to 
that business. No citizen is better known 
for his probity and business integrity than 
the subject of this sketch. Of a practical 
turn of mind and great energy, he has been 
fairly successful in his business undertakings. 

fOHN CON LAN is one of a class of 
sturdy men who have subdued the soil 
of the Salinas valley, and made it yield 
abundant crops of golden grain. He came 
to Monterey county and located near Salinas 
in 1871, where he has since resided, engaged 
in agricultural pursuits. He is now cultivat- 
ing about 700 acres of land. 

Mr. Conlan is a native of Ireland, born 
March 22, 1845. He was reared a farmer, 
and came to America by way of Australia in 
1863. He was married in Salinas to Miss 
Mary McQeary, April 10, 1883, and their 
union has been blessed by the birth of four 
children, namely: Mary, Agnes, Maggie and 
John, Jr. 

Mr. Conlan is an enterprising n)an, a suc- 
cessful farmer and a respected citizen. 



►^^-^^. 



tOBERT PORTER is one of the most 
enterprising and thrifty farmers of the 
Salinas valley. He is a native of 
Canada, and was born at Quebec, January 4, 



1853, son of Thomas Porter, a blacksmith 
by trade and occupation. 

Our subject acquired a good business edu- 
cation in his native city, and came to Cali- 
fornia in 1873, and the following year to Sa- 
linas. By industry and frugality he acquired 
a fine farm in the Salinas valley, near Blanco. 

Mr. Porter married, in 1880, August 9, 
Miss Margaret Bardin, one of Monterey's 
most accomplished young ladies and a daugh- 
ter of the late James Bardin, a well known 
pioneer of Monterey. (See sketch of James 
Bardin, in this book.) Two children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Porter, James and Eva. 
The Porter home is one of the most com- 
plete in all its arrangements and surround- 
ings of any in the rural districts of the 
county, and is an ornament to the Salinas 
valley. Mr. and Mrs. Porter are quiet and 
unobtrusive people, socially, genial and popu- 



lar. 



-^'^^^^:^<^ 



fP. SARGENT, a successful resident of 
Salinas, is the eldest of four chil- 
** dren of Hon. B. V. Sargent. 
His father lias been a resident of the town 
of Monterey since June, 1858, and is a prom- 
inent citizen by virtue of his long residence 
here, but more prominent because of his 
connection with the industries and politics of 
the county, having served his fellow-citizens 
in various official capacities, among others 
very acceptably and creditably filling the of- 
fice of State Senator in the Legislature of 
1887. He was born in Grafton, JNew Hamp- 
sliire, in 1828, and spent his early days in 
Boston. July 1, 1849, he arrived in San 
Francisco and immediately went to the mines 
on Mokeluinne river, and in September of 
the same year went to San Jose, where he 
kept hotel until the opening of the first State 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CliUZ, 



Legislature, when he went to the Sandwich 
Islands, where he remained until the spring 
of 1850. Returninoj to California he met 
his three brothers, J. P., R. C. and I. L. Sar- 
gent, who had come out overland from Chi- 
cago the previous year. In the fall of 1850 
the four brothers settled in San Joaquin 
county, where the town of Woodbridge now 
stands, and went into the stock business as 
Sargent Brothers. The firm is one of the 
most widely known in the State, owning sev- 
eral large properties in several counties. In 
San Joaquin county they have a grain and 
stock ranch of 30,000 acres, under the charge 
Ross and Dr. Jacob Sargent. In Santa 
Clara county they have 12.000 acres under 
the management of J. P. Sargent, and this is 
one of the best properties in the State, and is 
used for diversified farming and stock-raising. 
Some of the fastest and best-blooded horses 
in the State are raised here. In Monterey 
county they have two ranches under the su- 
pervision of B. V. Sargent. At Bradley, 
in the southern part of the county, is La 
Pestilencia, of 12,000 acres. The name is de- 
rived from the stenches of sulphur springs on 
the place, the country thereabouts abound- 
ino- in mineral springs. Tlie soil of this re- 
gion is very fertile and adapted to grain and 
fruit, although stock-raising has been the 
principal industry heretofore. The ranch 
consists principally of low rolling hills and 
ridges, which in the springtime are carpeted 
with alfileria and wild grasses, bunch grass 
being conspicuous. About six miles from 
Monterey they own a large ranch of 23,000 
acres, — El Potrero San Carlos San Franci sq ui to. 
This last named ranch furnishes grazing for 
4,000 head of cattle and is watered by nu- 
merous streams. It is considered, one of the 
finest stock ranches in the State. 

As before noticed Mr. Sargent has served 



in various official capacities. He has been 
Supervisor of Monterey county several times 
and was elected joint Senator of Monterey 
and San Benito counties in 1886. He was 
married in 1856 at Mokelumne Hill. His 
wife is a most estimable lady, well-known 
in Monterey for her goodness of heart and 
many acts of charity. They have four chil- 
dren, three sons and a daughter. Two of the 
sons, J. P., subject, and R. C. Sargent have 
the immediate supervision of the Monterey 
ranches. The other son, B. V. Sargent, Jr., is ex- 
District Attorney of Monterey county. The 
daughter is the wife of Mr. Gragg, a business 
man of Bradley, Monterey county. 

The Hon. Mr. Sargent is unostentatious 
in his manner, a man of practical ideas and 
rare business sagacity. He is genial and so- 
ciable, possessing a fund of anecdote, and is a 
very agreeable companion. 

J. P. Sargent, subject of this sketch, is a 
resident of Salinas and was married, October 
10, 1883, to Miss Catherine Eckhart, daugh- 
ter of Charles Eckhart, of Gilroj. Mr. and 
Mrs. Sargent have two bright little sons, 
Bradley E. and Charles. Mr. Sargent is the 
able manager of a portion of his father's es- 
tate and is one of the leading young business 
men of the city of Salinas. 



fENORJOSE SILVANO BORONDA 
is the son of Jose Eusebio Boronda and 
was born in the old adobe home De- 
cember 7, 1857, and he was married Octo- 
ber 22, 1885, to Miss Marie Ray Harris the 
adopted daughter of Mr. Ebenezer Harris, 
who is a well-known and esteemed pioneer 
of Salinas. The results of this union have 
been two children: Leslie D. and Louis R. ; 
although the later has been removed by 
death. 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



889 



Senor Boronda is a representative of an 
old and historic name in his section of the 
State, and as the old records and names are 
so rapidly disappearing, it is well to place in 
safety the deeds and names of those who made 
our early history. (For a more extended notice 
of the family see sketch of tlie brother of our 
subject.) 



^ATRICK CASEY, of Castroville, is a 
1^^ native of the Emerald Isle, being born 
^C in county Cork, from which he came 
direct to California, when he pulled up stakes 
and left the land of his birth to seek, under 
the stars and stripes, the freedom denied in 
his native land, making the trip in 1867. 
He enaged in farming for a time and then 
embarked in the liquor business at Castro- 
ville, where he still lives and enjoys the es- 
teem of a wide circle of friends. He has a 
brother, Jerry, in southern Monterey county; 
a sister Julia, now Mrs. John Hoyes, of 
Castroville; and another sister, Mary, is mar- 
ried. This gentleman is a fair example of 
what a man can make of himself if he only has 
enough push and energy about him. 

.„, ,,.,?.„ ;,);„'•'; I. .. 

SH. LONG is well known tlirougiiout 
Monterey county as one of the leading 
citizens of Castroville, a successful 
dealer in real estate and the manager of the 
extensive interests of the Cooper ranch. 

Mr. Long is a native of Lorain county, 
Ohio, born November 7, 1849, a son of 
Joseph A. Long, a farmer and dairyman by 
occupation, who was a pioneer of Lorain 
county and a native of New Hampshire. 
Our subject's mother was Augusta Will- 
iams before marriage, and was born in 



Canada. F. H. Long received his education 
in the public schools of his district and 
learned the occupation of a dairyman. 

In 1877 Mr. Long came to California and 
located in Marion county, where he owned and 
operated a dairy near Tomales. In 1882 he 
removed to Monterey county and continued 
in the same line of business some time when 
he engaged in the butchering business for 
two years. At the end of that time he 
retired and formed a partnership with Man- 
uel Merritt, in the real-estate business. In 
addition to his other interests Mr. Long 
owns valuable property near Castroville. 

Our subject was married, February 20, 
1871, to Miss Julia Damon, a daughter of 
Ira Damon, Esq., of Medina, Ohio. Mr. 
and Mrs. Long have five children, namely: 
Leona, Lillian, Roscoe, Edwin and James A. 



fHARLES K. TUTTLE, the druggist of 
the little town of Pacific Grove, was 
born in Benicia, California, December 
29, 1859. He was educated in the high 
schools of San Francisco, and graduated at 
the early age of sixteen. After graduating 
he started immediately to learn the drug 
business under Coffin & Maylew, with wlicm 
he remained five years, filling the position of 
head clerk, when he severed his connection 
with them to open and manage a drug store 
for J. C. Scott, of Salinas. He was well and 
favorably known in Salinas for three years, 
after which he conducted a dispensary for 
James Murphy, in San Francisco. His health 
failing, he decided to locate in Pacific Grove 
and open a small drug store, only intending 
to run it a few months, until health was re- 
stored, but the climate proved so beneficial 
that lie has since made this town his home, 



390 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA ORVZ, 



and now he possesses one of the neatest 
pharmacies in the entire county. It has 
become a very protitable business and his 
stock is very complete in all drugs, station- 
ery and other articles usually found in a 
drugstore. For fifteen years Mr. Tattle has 
made Pacific Grove his home and is much 
attached to the place. 

Mr. Tuttle is a son of Captain Joseph Tut- 
tle, a Mexican soldier and pioneer of Califor- 
nia, having come to the State in 1849 as an 
attache of the Government. He served as 
Quartermaster agent at Benicia stores, Cali- 
fornia. In 1860 he organized a company of 
United States troops and was chosen Captain 
of Company I, Fifth Kegiment of California 
Volunteers, and as such spent two years in 
Arizona. Later he was appointed Chief 
Quartermaster of Arizona, stationed at Fort 
Whipple. He vvas mustered out of service 
at the close of the war. Captain Tuttle mar- 
ried Miss Jane Kirkhaw, an estimable lady 
of English parentage, and the result of this 
union is two sons and two daughters, of 
whom our subject is the second youngest. 

Mr. Tuttle, our subject, was married, July 
25, 1888, to Miss Emily Youman, a daughter 
of Thaddeus Youman and a niece of Dr. O. S. 
Tremuer, of Pacific Grove. Mr. and Mrs. 
Tuttle have one son, Floyd L., and a daughter, 
Gladys. 

Ill spite of the many business cares tliat 
demand his attention, Mr. Tuttle finds plenty 
of time to use his camera, and has one of the 
finest collections of photographs of the beau- 
tiful scenery around Pacific Grove, extant, 
the sale of which forms an important feature 
of his business. Mr. Tuttle is a member of 
the City Board of Trustees, a position 
which he is eminently qualified to fill. He 
is possessed of the social elements necessary 
to success in that line and he is also very 



popular in his business. Mr. Tuttle has 
musical talent in marked degree, which he 
has developed ;is far as his time has per- 
mitted, and as an organist he is an artist. 

fHOMAS WILLIAMS, deceased.— The 
San Juan valley lost an honored citizen 
in the person of Mr. Williams, one of 
the influential farmers of that section of 
country, when his death occurred. 

Mr. Williams was a native of England, 
having been born in Worcestershire, October 
30, 1839. By occupation he was a farmer, 
and was noted for his frugal and industrious 
habits. At the time of his death he left a 
comfortable estate and honorable name behind 
him for his posterity. 

The estimable wife of Mr. Williams was 
the widow of James Yehora, Esq., and the 
daughter of James Lacy, a native of Dublin, 
Ireland, who was at one time a well-to-do 
crockery merchant of Melbourne, Australia, 
where Mrs. Williams was born. Mr. Lacy 
came to California, located in San Francisco, 
and in 1857 became one of the early settlers 
of the beautiful town of Mayfield, in Santa 
Clara county, where he engaged in farming. 
The maiden name of the mother of Mrs. 
Williams was Mary Ann King, of Irish 
parentage. 

The marriage of Mr. Williams and Mrs. 
Kate Yehom occurred April 22, 1870, and 
the following children were born to them: 
Lillian F. ; Clara E., now Mrs. Walter Led- 
ridge, of San Juan valley; Iva L., Gertrude, 
Maybell, Pauline, Ethel, George and Thomas. 
By her former marriage Mrs. Williams had 
two children, namely: a son, who died in 
1887, and a daughter, now Mrs. G. L. Dom- 
berger, of Mayfield. Mrs. Williams is a lady 



AND t^AN MATEO COUNTIBH, 



of domestic culture and executive ability, 
by her many graces of inind and body she 
has won the esteem of all who know her. 



tEWIS S. WOOD, of Hollister, is well 
known as an energetic business man 
and farmer. He has resided in Cali- 
fornia since 1870, and at Hollister since 
1872. 

A native of Clay county, Missouri, Mr. 
Wood was born near Smithville, September 
24, 1850. His parents, Isaac and Louisa 
(Duncan) Wood, were natives of Kentucky, 
and the latter was of Scotch descent. The 
father was a farmer by occupation. 

Lewis S. Wood was about nineteen years 
of age when he landed in California. He 
spent two years in Oregon, and, as a State 
volunteer, took part in the Modoc war. Upon 
coming to California, he located at Hollister, 
where he dealt in lumber, hay, wood, etc., and 
also did some real-estate business for about 
twelve years. Then he settled on a farm 
about four miles and a half south of Hollis- 
ter, where he has since resided. 

Mr. Wood has been twice married. At 
Tres Pinos, in 1877, he wedded Miss Mattie 
S. Newkirk, a native of Utah. She died at 
Hollister, May 16, 1887, leaving four children, 
Ellen E., Albert, Lewis Lee, and Mattie E. 
September 10, 1889, he was joined in marriage 
to Rose A. Ford, at Council Ijhiffs, Iowa. 
Mrs. Wood is a native of Liberty, Missouri, 
and, previous to her marriage, was a popular 
and successful teacher at that place. 

fRANK MAXFIELD.— The time is not 
far distant when the early time gold 
hunters of California will all be nutn- 
bered with the " great majority," and any 



record, however brief, will be perused with 
interest by the future student of history. 
The discovery of gold in California attracted 
a class of men which, taken collectively or 
individually, were unique. Of their successes 
or failures, it is not the aim or scope of this 
work to treat, inasmuch as the miner's future 
is never, or seldom, determined by any 
established code of business regulations or 
principles, but rather upon their good luck in 
striking a lead and their ability to make a 
lucky guess as to its extent and value after 
it has been located. 

Frank Maxiield, of Monterey, is one of the 
pioneer miners of California. He came to 
the gold fields of the State in 1852. He is 
a native of Ohio, born in Tuscarawas county, 
in the northern part of the State, July 15, 
1831. There he received the rudiments of 
his education, and learned the potter's trade, 
which he pursued at that place till 1851. He 
then went to Indiana and followed the same 
business about one year. 

Reports of the rich gold discoveries in 
California so fired his ambitious nature that 
he joined an uncle, Frank Mauk, Esq., who 
had visited the gold diggings in 1849, and 
proceeded with him on a journey overland to 
the Pacific coast. After remaining one 
winter in Iowa, they resumed their journey, 
and arrived at Salt Lake in the month of 
July. Here they witnessed the laying of the 
corner-stone of the great Mormon temple, 
July 17, 1852. Owing to an old school-day 
acquaintance with Silas, a cousin of the late 
Mormon priest, John Smith, they were re- 
ceived at Salt Lake kindly, many privileges 
and coiartesies being extended to them, which 
was in striking contrast to the treatment re- 
ceived by. the average overland emigrant. 
Having sent word in advance that the little 
party would arrive in the city at a stated time, 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



they were met with carriages, their entire 
outfxt taken in charge, cattle fed, oxen shod, 
wagons replenished with provisions, etc.; 
and when they left the city they were given 
passes over the numerous bridges and ferries 
which they would encounter on their west- 
ward journey. Mr. Maxfield met other 
acquaintances there who, while embracing 
and fully believing in the Mormon doctrine, 
did not believe in or practice polygamy. 

They resumed and accomplished their 
journey without particular incident, reaching 
Diamond Spring, in El Dorado county, 
December 5, 1852. The uncle, Frank Mauk, 
Esq., located at San Jose, where he farmed 
for several years. He then engaged in the 
erection of quartz mills in Amador county 
and adjoining mining districts. He was an 
active and aggressive business man, pursuing 
this business up to the time of his death, 
which occurred in Arizona in 1889, at an ad- 
vanced age, he having been born in 1809. Mrs. 
William Tibbetts, of Monterey, is a daughter 
of his. 

Mr. Maxfield mined in El Dorado, Placer 
and adjoining counties up to about 1861, 
since which time he has lived in Sonoma and 
Monterey counties, in the last named since 
1874. There are few pioneers who are not 
familiar with his face and voice. 



tMOS M. HAKDIN.— There are few 
fanners of HoUister, who are better 
known for their energy, enterprise and 
thrift than Mr. Hardin. He is a native of 
Knox county, Tennessee, having been born in 
Hardin Valley, a lovely stretch of valley land 
in the southern portion of Knox county. His 
father, John G. Hardin, was a farmer and 
stock- raiser, who was born in the same valley, 



and who was a son of Amos Hardin, a pio- 
neer of Knox county^ who located land com- 
prising the valley named for him. Here he 
reared his family of seven sons and two 
daughters, our subject's father being the third 
born. He, like his other brothers, grew up 
to farm life and located on and about the old 
farm. John G. Hardin married Sarah Galla- 
her, who was born in Knox county. He was 
an enterprising man, who owned and cul- 
tivated 1,800 acres of land and transacted 
business on an extensive scale. 

Our subject was the fourth in a family of 
seven children, having been born January 11, 
1849. He fought during the late war in the 
Confederate army, as Captain of Company E, 
Third Tennessee Infantry, and served four 
years. He was captured by the Union forces, 
at Hatcher's, in front of Petersburg, just 
prior to Lee's surrender. 

After peace was declared he returned home 
and resumed his business. In 1866 he married 
Mary S. Owen, a daughter of Rev. Richard 
Owen, a Baptist clergyman of Clinton, Ten- 
nessee. Mrs. Hardin was born in Tennessee, 
and has borne her husband nine children, 
namely: James L., Katie S., Mattie G., 
Richard O., Pearl L., Minnie, Robert M., 
Wennel and Harry Houston. 

In 1870 Mr. Hardin came to California 
and located at HoUister, his present home, 
where he owns a fertile farm of eighty- six 
acres as a homestead, and also owns 640 
acres of land in Fresno county. He is a 
Knight Templar and an active member of the 
A. O. U. W. 

fA. STEINBECK, a well-known citizen 
of HoUister, is a native of Germany, 
--,c ® having been born there November 
27, 1832. He learned the cabinet-maker's 




FOUNDER OF STREET RAILWAY SYSTEM. 
MONTEREY AND PACIFIC GROVE 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



trade in his native country, and at the age of 
seventeen he, with an ohier brother and sister, 
emigrated to Palestine, and he remained 
for eight years in the old city of Jerusalem, 
where he worked at his trade and acted as an 
interpreter of the English, German and Ara- 
bic languages. 

In this far-off land, June 1, 1856, our sub- 
ject was married to Almira, a daughter of 
Walter A. Dickson, at that time an independ- 
ent missionary. In 1858 Mr. and Mrs. 
Steinbeck went to Massachusetts, which was 
the native place of the latter, she having i)een 
born in that State, in the town of Grafton. 
Soon after their arrival they went to Florida 
and located at St. Augustine. When the late 
war broke out our subject was pressed into 
service, and served in the Confederate array 
one year. He was then taken prisoner, but 
paroled and joined his young wife and two 
children, who had made her way to her North- 
ern home. He remained in Massachusetts 
for ten years, engaged at his trade in a piano 
factory, and then came, in November, 1872, 
to California and located in Hollister, where 
he has since lived. Mr. and Mrs. Steinbeck 
have had five sons, namely: Charles, agent 
for the Southern Pacific Company, at Tera- 
pleton. This son was born in Joppa, Pales- 
tine, April 27, 1857. The next child, Her- 
bert E., is an employee of the Central Milling 
Company, of Hollister, and he was born in 
Plainfield, New Jersey, August 6, 1859. 
Ernest, the third, represents the interests of 
the Central Milling Company at King City, 
and was born in Massachusetts, in 1862. 
Wilhelm is superintendent of the Victor 
Mills of Hollister, and was born in Massa- 
chusetts, Fetiriiary 4, 1865. Harry, the 
youngest, is at Santa Margarita, California, 
and was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, 
October 5, 1857. 

35 



Our subject is regarded as a man of sound 
principles and good business judgment, a 
character that he has transmitted to his sons. 
He lives in one of the finest villas in the city 
of Hollister. 



|UAN MALARIN was born in Peru, 
''Mi South America, November 1, 1825. He 
^ came to California in 1849, arriving at 
San Francisco July 2 as supercargo on 
a sailing vessel. After having disposed 
of his cargo he went to tlie mines in 
Tuolumne county, where he mined with 
average success one year. After that he 
turned his attention to agricultural pur- 
suits, and was engaged in farming in the 
Napa valley for about four years. Then 
for several years he superintended the San 
Luis Gonzaga rancho of 50,000 acres, situated 
in Santa Clara and Merced counties, and 
became identified with the business interests 
of San Jose, as a director in the Commercial 
Bank and a stockholder in the Electric Light 
Company. He is the builder and proprietor 
of the " Monterey and Pacific Grove Street 
Railway," which enterprise he inaugurated 
and pushed to completion in 1890 and '91. 
Failing to enlist the aid which the enterprise 
deserved from other parties, Mr. Malarin 
pushed the road through alone, against what 
seemed to be insurmountable obstacles. He 
ran the first car to the Junipero Serra monu- 
ment April 30, 1891, the day that President 
Harrison paid a visit to the old capital, and 
to Pacific Grove the following August. The 
road is over four miles in length, laid with 
twenty-pound steel rails and sawed ties, and 
equipped with first-class cars, both open and 
closed, affording to the public an excellent 
service. The grade is light, and the track so 



MONTE RET, 8AJ1 BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



constructed as to be readily changed into an 
electric road. Mr. Malarin has iu vested 
ahout 850,000 in this enterprise, and is doing 
a great public service in advancing the 
material growth of towns on his lines. It is 
safe to say that few men would have under- 
taken such an enterprise single-handed, 
pushed it to completion, and built up for the 
same a prosperous business. 

Mr. Malarin's father, Lorenzo Malarin> 
was of Italian birth, and spent the greater 
part of his life in the silver mines of South 
America. The subject of our sketch is a 
man of family. He was married in 1874 to 
Miss Cristina Malarin, a distant cousin of 
his, and their union has been blessed with 
five children. 

Quiet and unobtrusive in manner, kind- 
hearted and generous in disposition, Mr. 
Malarin is popular with all classes of people, 
and especially with those in his employ. 

tOBERT STIRLING, one of Castro- 
ville's esteemed citizens, is a native of 
Scotland, having been born there, in 
Lanarkshire, April 10, 1831. (For history 
of his ancestry, see sketch of William Stir- 
ling, this book.) 

Our subject was married, in his native 
land, in 1853, to Miss Agnes Mounts, also a 
native of Lanarkshire, and after marriage the 
young couple came to America, arriving the 
following year. Mr. Stirling and his brother 
learned the art of weaving and he worked at 
his chosen calling for several years. He 
had also learned the trade of baker, but only 
pursued it a brief time, while in New York. 

Upon coming to California, in 1873, he 
lived on the present Martin ranch, on the 
Salinas river. He later located at Castro- 



ville in 1876, where he still remains. Four 
sons of Mr. Stirling's are still living, name- 
ly: John B., a native of Scotland; Andrew, 
Robert and James, the two latter being na- 
tives of Canada. Mr. Stirling is one of a 
large family and he is a man highly esteemed 
in the city of his adoption, where he is a re- 
spected citizen. 

fAMUEL PALMER, one of the first 
settlers of Priest valley, has been a 
resident of California since 1853. He 
is a native of New York and was born in 
Westchester county, April 18, 1881. His 
father, B. M. Palmer, was a pioneer of Wash- 
tenaw county, Michigan, having located in 
the town of Lyndon, in 1836. The maiden 
name of the mother of our subject was Sarah 
Griffin. 

Our subject remained in his native place 
until his marriage, October 26, 1852, to Miss 
Nancy L. Fox, a daughter of Benjamin F. 
Fox, of Unadilla, Livingston county, Mich- 
igan. The following year the young couple 
started overland, for California, via Council 
Bluff, Iowa, north fork of the Platte river, 
etc., and on to Marysville, where Mr. Palm- 
er pursued farming fi-om 1855 to 1867: 
and from 1867 to 1869 he traveled and pros- 
pected for a location for a farm. The last 
named year he met John W. Green, at Gil- 
roy, who told him of the fertility and beauty 
of Priest valley. Mr. Palmer visited the 
valley with Mr. Green, but returned to Gil- 
roy, where he spent ^ne year. In 1870, 
however, he located on his chosen home, 
where he has since resided. The land on 
which Mr. Palmer located was unsurveyed 
and belonged to the Government, but was 
afterward surveyed by John Raymond, in 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



395 



1871. Mr. I'aliner now has 1,280 acres of 
as fine land as can be found in the county, 
or in fact in the entire State of California. 
A portion of this land is devoted to grazing 
purposes. 

Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have three sons and 
an adopted daughter, namely: Frank Love- 
land (see sketch elsewhere in this work), 
George Fox, Charles N. and Helen. Mr. 
Palmer is one of the solid men of San Benito 
county and is a good representative of the 
early pioneer. 

fHOMAS MORRISY is a farmer and 
resident of Castroville. He came to 
California in 1865 direct from his na- 
tive county, Ireland. He was then about 
seventeen years of age, having been born in 
Limerick county in 1841. He spent three 
years in the war of the Rebellion, in the 
Union army, as a soldier of the One Hun- 
dred and Forty-nine New York Volunteer 
Infantry: soon after his enlistment he was 
transferred into the regniararmy. He fought 
through the battles of the wilderness and the 
battle of Gettysburg, besides numerous hot 
engagements of less note, and received two 
wounds, in his left leg. 

He was married to Mrs. Edward Nolan. 
By her former marriage she had two chil- 
dren, Maryand Lizzie, and by her latter mar- 
riage she has had one son, Thomas. 



fOHN HAMES, one of the oldest 
American settlers of California, came to 
the State, via Cape Horn, from New 
York, as a carpenter of the ship "Phoanix." 
He remained abroad of his ship one year, 



leaving her in Peru, South America, and 
worked at his trade in Peru, Chili and 
Equador during the years of 1842-'43. Com- 
ing to California he first located at Monterey, 
in May, 1843, but visited Los Angeles and 
San Francisco, at both of which places he 
worked at his trade. His next venture was 
the taking of mill timber to the Barbadoes 
for Captain Smith. Mr. Hames then 
built the first sawmill at Niles Station, Cal- 
ifornia, in 1844-'45. He located tlie present 
town of Soquel, in Santa Cruz county, at 
which place he built mills and made the 
town hie home, until 1883, during which 
time he ranged sheep in the Saliuris Vallfjy. 

Mr. Hames has seen much of pioneer 
life in California, following as he did his 
trade of carpenter and millwright so many 
years. He knew Marshall, to whom credit 
is given of having discovered gold at Sutter's 
mill, in 1848, and was working in the mill 
race at the time the first gold nugget was 
picked up. To quote the words of Mr. 
Hames: "The Mormon boys were working at 
the mills for Sutter, with Marshall as fore- 
man. One of these brothers found the gold, 
handed it to Marshall, who in turn gave it to 
Sutter, who sent it to San Francisco, where 
it was pronounced gold." Mr. Hames also 
relates the fact of having himself raised the 
first stars and stripes at San Jose. It was a 
small banner, about six feet long. He put it 
on a little willow pole that surmounted an 
old adobe building. "Tom" Fallon has 
been credited in historical volumes as having 
performed this act. 

Mr. Hames is a native of Orange county. 
New York, having been born there March 
22, 1811. His father, Benjamin Hames, was 
a millwright by trade and a native of the 
same State, who came West in the early days 
of Michigan settlements, located at Bath 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



Creek, Calhoun county, Michigan, where he 
bnilt the first mill and resided until his 
death, which occurred in 1850. The maiden 
name of the mother of our subject was Re- 
becca Hardin, who was born near the city of 
Rochester, New York. 

The subject of this sketch was married to 
Drusilla Sliadden, in 1846, by the Hon. 
Thomas O. Larkin, at Monterey. Mrs. 
Hames was a native of Arkansas, but came 
to California in 1843, with her father, 
Thomas Jeiferson Shadden, now a resident of 
Oregon. This lady bore her husband eight 
children, namely: Benjamin F., born in 
Santa Cruz county, April 9, 1847, married 
July 3, 1873; Miss Ella, daughter of A.J. 
Copby, and they have four children, namely: 
Bart, May, Frank and Eva, the two former 
are twins. The other children of our sub- 
ject, are: George, Susan, Eliza, Martha, 
Lucrecia, Carrie and Lillie. Our subject 
makes his home with his son Benjamin, of 
Feach Tree valley, San Benito county. 

JI^ENRY E. E.ENT, one of the most en 
|wV terprising and popular business and 
■^(s public men of Pacific Grove, Califor- 
nia, was born in Yates City, Knox county, 
Illinois, March 17, 1858. His early life was 
passed in his native place and he graduated at 
Mount Morris Seminary at the age of nine- 
teen years. 

On first coming to California, he settled 
on a farm near HoUister, San Benito county, 
and was for some time engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits. To benefit his wife's health, 
be removed, in 1888, to Pacific Grove, where 
he has ever since resided, meeting with flat- 
tering success in business. On first coming 
to this city he purchased the n] am moth 



livery stable from J. O. Johnson, and by un- 
tiring energy and careful management en- 
larged both his facilities and trade until he 
now has one of the most commodious and 
best appointed establishments of the kind on 
the coast. As a citizen, he is strikingly 
public-spirited and progressive, ever the first 
to put hi.'^ shoulder to the wheel of the city's 
enterprises. An admiring constituency 
elected him one of the first Councilmen, in 
which position he was untiring in his efforts 
to revoke the old charter and secure the is- 
suance of a new one, reincorporating the 
Grove as a separate city, distinct and apart 
from old Monterey. He was chosen as a 
committee of one to wait on the Legislature 
then in session at Sacramento, and present 
the matter for the consideration of that hon- 
orable body. His success is sufiicient proof 
of the wisdom of their choice. 

He was married November 7, 1876, to 
Miss S. A. Dunlap, an estimable lady of 
Buda, Illinois, and they have three interest- 
ing children. 

As a husband and father, business man 
and public citizen, he has always been the 
same, able, upright and whole-souled man, 
and justly enjoys the esteem of his entire 
community. 



ILLIAM TIBBETTS, a pioneer resi- 
dent of California, dates his arrival 
in this State in 1852. He is a native 
of Maine, born in Brewer, Penobscot county. 
Leaving the Pine Tree State, he went to New 
York, and from there sailed for San Fran- 
cisco, via Panama, in December, 1851, ar- 
riving on the Pacific coast in February of the 
following year. 

Like many others Mr. Tibbetts came to 
California in order to better his financial con- 



U^ND SjIW MATEO COUNTIES. 



dition. He accordingly proceeded immedi- 
ately to the mining fields of Calaveras 
and El Dorado counties, where he i'emain«d 
during the years 1852-'53-'54, his mining 
adventures resulting in average success. In 
the latter part of 1854 he went to Sonoma 
county, located at Sonoma, and engaged in 
the livery and stage business. Later he con- 
ducted the same business in Petaluma. He 
was a pioneer in this branch of business. 
He ran the line from Petaluma to Toraales 
for about eleven years. He then went to 
Silver mountain, California, where he had 
acquired mining interests. He also spent 
some time at Carson City and Genoa, Ne- 
vada. In 1865 he returned to Sonoma county 
and resumed staging for two years. Here he 
remained up to the year 1873, with the ex- 
ception of one year when he kept the Wilson's 
Exchange hotel at Sebastopol. 

In 1873 Mr. Tibbetts took up his residence 
in Monterey county, and for several years 
was successfully engaged in sheep-raising on 
the headwaters of Carmel river. For three 
years he was in the employ of Charles 
Spreckels in the hotel business at Aptos, 
Santa Cruz county. This was from 1876 to 
1879. In the winter of the last named year 
he mined on Aptos beach, doing a fairly 
profitable business in mining fine gold. In 
1880 he returned to Monterey, where he has 
since resided, and since 1886 has conducted 
the Central Hotel and bar. 

December 5, 1860, Mr. Tibbetts was united 
in marriage with Miss Carrie E. Mauk, of 
Sonoma county, California. They have two 
daughters and two sons, namely: Amy J., 
wife of John T. Bell, of Los Catos; Augusta, 
wife of Grant Troole, of Monterey, Charles 
Nathaniel and William Wilson. 

In connection with Mr. Tibbetts' family 
history it should be further stated that his 



father, Nathaniel Tibbetts, a native of Maine, 
passed his life on a farm in Penobscot county, 
and died there. His mother, whose maiden 
name was Mary E. Shedd, was a daughter of 
Captain William Shedd, a patriot of the 
Revolutionary army. He entered the service 
from Massachusetts, and participated in the 
historic battle of Bunker Hill. After the 
war he became a citizen of Maine, locating 
in the Penobscot valley. 

William Tibbetts' life has been one of 
business activity, and during the years of his 
residence on this coast he has made many 
friends and acquaintances. 

1^ W. CAN FIELD, a resident of San 
f ^? Juan, and an esteemed pioneer of San 
^|}i® Benito county, is a native of New Or- 
leans, having been born there, March 27, 
1820. His father, R. F. Canfield, was a 
merchant by occupation, and lived during 
President Jackson's administration, was active 
in political matters, and held the office of 
Appraiser at the port of New Orleans. He 
was a native of Morris county. New Jersey. 
Mr. Canfield's great-grandfather, Jatnes Can- 
field, was a patriot of the Revolution, and 
was a native of Virginia and a graduate of 
Princeton College. He developed into an 
itinerant clergyman of Elizabetbtown, New 
Jersey, serving in the Revolutionary army as 
a chaplain and soldier. He was murdered by 
a sentinel, June, 1780. Mr. Canfield's grand- 
father was locally prominent as an advocate 
of the principles upon which American inde- 
pendence was founded. His home was at 
Morris Plains, and there he pursued his occu- 
pation of farming. Mr. Canfield's father left 
his native State when about eighteen years of 
age, and located in Louisiana. He gained 



398 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA OMUZ, 



practice and experience in mercantile busi- 
ness while in a tirm of that description; be- 
came a merchant, and lived and died in New 
Orleans. 

Our subject left New Orleans for Illinois, 
and located on a prairie farm in Sangamon 
county, nine miles west of Springfield, on 
Spring creek, where he lived for several 
years. He came to California in the fall of 
1850, and after a brief stay in San Francisco 
he located a claim on Mountain View, in 
Santa Clara county. His claim formed the 
nucleus of the present town, to which he gave 
its name. He lived there until the spring of 
1858, when, owing to the serious defect of 
the title to his land, he abandoned his claim 
and located on his present estate, near San 
Juan, where he has lived for the past thirty 
years, engaged in farming and stock-raising, 
also dairying. He has been an active busi- 
ness man, alive to the interests of his State, 
county and town. His estate comprises 200 
acres of land, all very fine. 

Mr. Canfield was married at twenty-one 
years of age, to Miss Frances A. Bowers 
daughter of H. G. Bowers, of North Hamp- 
ton, Massachusetts. She died in 1872, leaving 
a family of six children, all settled in life. 



faiLLIAM ROBSON, a pioneer of Cali- 
M fornia, is a native of Scotland, hav- 
^ ing been born in that country, Feb- 
ruary 5, 1828. 

Upon arrival in California our subject 
spent about five years in the mining regions 
of Rich Bar, Feather river country and Pine 
Grove. He then located in Sonoma county, 
near Petaluma, and engaged in dairy farming, 
where he remained from 1857 to 1865. He 
then located in Monterey county, at Salinas, 



and continued for some time in the dairy 
business, but now has practically retired from 
active Inisiness. 

In 1858 Mr. Robsoii married Miss Jennie 
Scott of San Francisco, a lady of Scotch birth, 
also. Mr. and Mrs. Robsou have one daugh- 
ter, Jennie, now Mrs. B. A. Erdley, wife of a 
prominent and well-known citizen of Pacific 
Grove. 

Mr. Robson and his wife are well known 
and highly respected in Salinas as thoroughly 
reliable people, of whom all speak well. 

fERRY M. JACKS was born in Pike 
county, Missouri, not far distant from 
Kansas City, September 3, 1827. His 
father, Thomas Jacks, was born in 1797, and 
emigrated to Missouri in 1817, where he was 
for many years engaged in farming and stock- 
raising. He was a carpenter by trade, but 
never followed it as a business. Mr. Jack's 
mother, nee Miss Cynthia Martin, was born in 
"Virginia, and with her parents went to Ken- 
tucky, where from infancy she was reared. 
They raised a family of eight sons and three 
daughters, of whom Perry M. Jacks is the 
third. 

The subject of our sketch inherited from 
his father the true instincts of a business 
man, and at an early age became familiar 
with stock-raising in its every detail. He 
came to California in 1849, and almost direct 
to the Salinas valley. He purchased and sold 
stock, off and on, for about three years. He 
then engaged in merchandising on the south 
fork of the American river. In 1854 he 
located the Strawberry Valley ranch of about 
10,000 acres, it then being unsun'eyed land. 
The following year he sold his claim to Dr. 
Roup, and went to Sacramento. He there 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



899 



became extensively engaged in dealing in hay 
and grain, and owned the valuable property 
he occupied, corner of Seventh and J streets. 

In 1855 Mr. Jacks married Miss Elizabeth 
Headrick, a daughter of George and Matilda 
Headrick, natives of Howard county, Ken- 
tucky, and later residents of Virginia. 

Mr. Jacks returned to Missouri and became 
a merchant at West Point, in the meantime 
having made a trip to Pike's Peak. In 1867 
he came back to California, and here he has 
since resided. He owns and operates one of 
the best farms in the Salinas valley, located 
on the San Juan road, two miles and a quarter 
east of Salinas. 

Mr. Jacks is of Scotch and English extrac- 
tion and Mrs. Jacks' ancestors were English 
and Irish. Their union has been blessed with 
two sons, Henry C, a fanner of San Ardo, 
and Thomas, at home. 

fAlSriEL McCRAY, deceased, a well- 
known and highly respected pioneer of 
California, who settled in Hollister in 
1873, with the best interests of which he was 
identified for many years, was born in Wash- 
ington county, Tennessee, June 14, 1814. 
His father, Henry McCray, was a well-to-do 
farmer of Tennessee, where he also was born, 
and passed a long and useful life in that 
State. 

Daniel McCray passed his early years on 
the home farm, and attended the common 
schools in his vicinity. He was reared to 
agricultural pursuits, which he followed un- 
interruptedly during his entire life. In 1857, 
he removed with his family to California, 
crossing the plains in the usual emigrant 
fashion and experiencing tiie hardships and 
vicissitudes common to all. Arrived in the 



Golden State, he settled on land near San 
Jose, where he pursued farming for many 
years. Having been favorably impressed with 
Hollister and the surrounding country, here- 
moved, in 1873, to a farm of eighty acres in 
that vicinity. He was here successfully oc- 
cupied in agricultural pursuits until his death, 
January 4, 1888. Perhaps no one could have 
been called hence whose loss would have been 
more keenly felt by the community in which 
he had passed so many useful years of his life. 
Of the highest integrity, unusual intelligence 
and uniform courtesy, he was a general favor- 
ite with all who knew him. 

He was married in Monroe county, Ten- 
nessee, October 17, 1837, to Miss Malinda 
McCooky, daughter of J. A. McCooky, a 
highly respected resident of that county, and 
sister to John McCooky, an influential busi- 
ness man of Hollister. There are five living 
children: Julia F., now Mrs. John Weathers 
of San Jose; Frank P. and Victor, civil en- 
gineers, living in Arizona; Harry W., an 
architect and civil engineer, of Bakerstield, 
Kerli county, California; and Ella, a teacher 
in the public schools of Hollister. Mrs. Mc- 
Cray lives in Hollister and enjoys the esteem 
of a large circle of friends. 



fHARLES BARDIN, a successful and 
enterprising farmer and the second 
youngest of the family of the late James 
Bardin, was born at Blanco, on the old home- 
stead, February 1, 1859. 

Mr. Bardin married December 1, 1880, 
Miss Rachel, a daugiiter of William Rider, 
a resident of the Salinas valley. He and his 
wife reside at Blanco, on the original location 
of Mr. Bardin's father, in 1855, which now 
contains one of the finest ranches in the valley. 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



This farm consists of 150 acres from the 
family estate at Blanco, 388 acres of the west 
side of the Salinas river and forty-six acres 
of land added to the home farm, from an ad- 
joining property. 

Mrs. Bardin is a native daughter of the 
soil, having been born in San Francisco, 
October 1, 1858, and she has borne her hus- 
band four children, tiiree daughters and one 
son, namelj: Elizabeth, Bertha, Maggie and 
Charles W. Mr. and Mrs. Bardin are very 
estimable people, and support with honor the 
name that is known throughout all the por- 
tion of the State in which the family has 
made its home for so many years. 



PAN WILLSON, of San Juan, San Benito 
county, is a California pioneer, having 
come from Boston to this State in 1849. 
He was born in Keeue, Cheshire county, New 
Hampshire, January 22, 1827. His father, 
a farmer by occupation, was a native of 
!Northtleld, Massachusetts, and his mother, 
nee Levina Collins, was born in Cheshire 
county, New Hampshire. The subject of 
our sketch learned the trade of bricklayer 
and plasterer, and worked at tiie same at his 
native place. 

On arriving at California he went to the 
mines of Mariposa and spent the winter there 
in gold mining. Later he took up quartz 
mining in Tuolumne, on the Stanislaus river, 
and followed the same for about two years. 
After that he turned his attention to farm- 
ing, stock-raising and dairying. He located 
on his present place at San Juan in 1868. 
Here he owns 300 acres of excellent land, 
one of the best farms in San Benito county. 

Mr. Willsou has been thrice married. In 
1854 he married Miss Bicente, daughter of 



Don Jose Maria Sanchez. She left live chil- 
dren: Henry, George, Emma, Elbridge and 
Alvin. All are now married and settled in 
life except Elbridge. 

His second marriage occurred in 1868, at 
Santa Cruz, the lady of his choice being Mrs. 
Malvina Maloua, a native of Maine. They 
had five children: Nellie, Dan, Belle and 
Mell (twin daughters) and Joe. The mother 
died January 3, 1875. 

In 1880, Mr. Willsou wedded his present 
companion, nee Miss Cornelia Hardenbergh, 
a native of New York. 

He is a member of San Juan Lodge, F. & 
A. M. He has taken a commendable inter- 
est in the progress and development of San 
Benito county, and has always evinced a 
lively interest in educational matters, having 
served for about twenty years as Trustee of 
his school district. 



7r-Tl| ALTER C. LITTLE, a son of the la- 
' A/A1| mented Milton Little, was born at 

l^=^l Monterey, April 21, 1861. He was 
educated in the public schools of his native 
place, and in 1876 went to San Francisco, 
where he spent three years as clerk in a drug 
store. In 1879 he returned home and for 
two years was assistant superintendent of 
the Pacific Improvement Company's interests 
at Pacific Grove, under Superintendent John- 
son. He then took up surveying and civil 
engineering and now is filling the position of 
City Engineer for both Pacific Grove and 
Monterey. Mr. Little has served on the City 
Board of Trustees of Monterey, but resigned 
the office, owing to press of business cares. 
The marriage of our subject occurred Sep- 
tember 21, 1887, to Miss Anna Smith, a 
daughter of S. D. Smith, of Oakland, then 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



401 



of Sacramento, where Mrs. Little was born. 
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Little, namely: Walter Cotton and Arthur 
Elwood. The beautiful home of Mr. Little 
is at New Monterey, where he lives sur- 
rounded by his wife and family. Mr. and 
Mrs. Little enjoy the respect and esteem of a 
wide circle of friends and acquaintances. 

fNNO BLOHM, the genial and efficient 
Postmaster and a merchant of Blanco, 
Monterey county, California, is a native 
of Germany. He was born April 25, 1854, 
and came from the old country direct to Cali- 
fornia in 1874. After having farmed on the 
Cooper ranch for two years, he removed into 
Corral de Tierra country, and there farmed 
about 260 acres. He then spent two years 
in Germany, returning to this State in 1884. 
After his return he resumed farming on the 
Bardin ranch, on the west side of the Salinas 
river. Here he raised fine crops of English 
mustard, marketing one year as high as 800 
sacks, which he sold at 3 cents per pound. 
He then, in 1889, bought a home at Blanco, 
and has since been engaged in merchandising. 
Mr. Blohm chose for his wife and wedded 
Miss Katharine Dircks, a native of his own 
country, and by her has six children, namely: 
Emma, Andrew, Fred, William, George and 
Henry. 



PEN JAMIN HITCHCOCK is one of the 
leading citizens of the Salinas valley, 
and is a pioneer of California, having 
come to the State in 1855. The first years 
of his residence on this coast were spent in 
the mines of Nevada county and vicinity. 
He then engaged in dairying in Sonoma and 



Marin counties. Later he farmed for C. S. 
Abbott until he purchased his pi-esent home, 
in 1872. His farm comprises 200 acres of 
as fine land as can be found in the beautiful 
and fertile Salinas valley. 

Mr. Hitchcock was married in Santa Cruz 
in the fall of 1872, to Miss Agnes M., daugh- 
ter of John Abbott, and their union bas been 
blessed with a son and daughter: Elba E. and 
Donna Laura. Mr. Hitchcock is a man of 
strict integrity and temperate habits, and is 
held in high esteem by all who know him. 

I^^^ARCUS BUNDESON, deceased.— 
fllTOt This esteemed gentleman was a na- 
-i>^^ tive of Denmark, having been born 
there, February 24, 1840. He came to 
America, when about nineteen years of age, 
as a sailor before the mast from Liverpool. 

Upon arrival at San Francisco he aban- 
doned the sea and proceeded to Redwood City, 
where he worked in the redwoods till he 
earned money enough to buy himself a team, 
then he was teaming there for several years. 

After that he went to Watsonville and en- 
gaged in farming for four years. 

The marriage of this estimable young man 
occurred in San Francisco, 1872, to Miss 
Mette M. Sandholdt, a young woman of Dan- 
ish birth, who bore her husband four chil- 
dren, namely: Peter, Christine, Andrew and 
Marcus, all of whom were born in Monterey 
county. 

Then he came to Salinas and engao-ed suc- 
cessfully in farming on the Alisal ranch for 
about sixteen years. 

His next location was made at Hollister in 
1887, where he bought a nice farm from Mr. 
John Range adjoining the city. 

Mr. Buudeson died January 10, 1892, at 



402 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ' 



the age of fifty-two years, in the prime of 
manly youth and vigor. He was an indus- 
trious and frugal young farmer, and upright 
and esteemed citizen, who left behind him a 
wide circle of friends to join with his family 
in mourning his loss. 



fE. SAMUEL B. GOKDON, Jr., was 
born in Monterey, October 17, 1866, a 
son of Samuel B. Gordon, of Monterey. 
He attended the public schools of his native 
town until he reached bis sixteenth year, 
when he entered the University of California, 
remaining there two years. In 1884 he be- 
came a student in the Cooper Medical Col- 
lege, San Francisco, where he took a two 
years' course. He next attended lectures in 
the New York Medical College, graduating 
therefrom in 1888. He came back to Cali- 
fornia and located at Gonzales immediately 
after his graduation, and began the practice 
of medicine. Here he has been successful, 
professionally, and has continued to reside 
ever since. 

•^^^^^^^^^^ 

fyPRESS JOHNSON, a successful busi- 
ness man and esteemed citizen of Pa- 
cific Grove, is a pioneer of California. 
He is a native of Henry county, Indiana, 
having been born at Kingstown, July 13, 
1834, a son of Cypress and Patience (Tall- 
man) Johnson, the former of whom was among 
the early settlers of Indiana, a native of 
Massachusetts, and the latter was born in the 
city of Quebec, Canada. 

Mr. Johnson was reared on a farm and left 
home to come to California, in 1853, cross- 
ing the plains with an ox team. He went 



into the mines of El Dorado county, near 
Diamond Spring, but after eight mouths' 
experience in the mines, with indifferent re- 
sults, he located at Gilroy, in Santa Clara 
county, and pursued farming in that locality 
for about thirty years. In 1858 he engaged 
business in Gilroy, Santa Clara county, 
and continued there until 1883, when he lo- 
cated at Pacific Grove. 

Mr. Johnson was married, September 13, 
1859, at Gilroy, to Miss Harriet P. Hawver, 
a native of Wisconsin, and six children have 
been added to their family, namely: Leanna; 
Ivy, who is Mrs. Jacob Knapp; Ada L., now 
Mrs. Theodore Meves; Cypress, Otis and 
William Henry. Three children are deceased. 
Mr. Johnson is a gentleman of sterling traits 
of character and a member of the Crescent 
Order of United Workmen, Gilroy Lodge, 
No. 26. 



tNTONE GIGLING.— It is safe to say 
that this pioneer is the first settler in 
,,, that portion of the Salinas valley lying 
between Castroville and Salinas, and as an 
early settler of Monterey county he merits 
appropriate mention on the pages of this 
work. 

Mr. Gigling is of German birth and edu- 
cation. He was born at Baden Baden, 
Germany, July 21, 1819. He learned the 
business of a brewer and distiller, and fol- 
lowed that occupation until he was about 
twenty-eight years of age, at which time he 
came to America. He spent the years 1847 
and 1848 in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1850 
he came to California on the bark Alameda, 
and, after spending a brief period in San 
Francisco, went to the mines. In 1852 he 
located in the Salinas valley, this being before 
Watsonville, Castroville or Salinas had come 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



iuto existence. Here he lias lived all these 
years, and is now one of the most thrifty and 
thorough fanners in Monterey county. He 
owns a splendid home at Blanco, where he 
resides, surrounded with all the comforts of 
life. At this place he raises a great variety 
of choice fruits, apples, pears, etc. He also 
owns 500 acres of grazing and farming land 
on the west bank of the Salinas river. 

Mr. Gigling was married at Castroville, in 
the fall of 1862, to Fannie Fox, of Irish na- 
tivity. She was born May 12, 1832, came 
with her parents to this country iu 1855, and 
to California in 1860. By a former marriage 
she had one son and one daughter. 

fAMES BAKDIN.— There was no pioneer 
in the Salinas valley more widely and 
favorably known in his day than the la- 
mented James Bardin. lie was a native of 
North Carolina, born January 16, 1810, and 
there lived, until early manhood. He com- 
menced active life for himself iu Alabama, 
later located in Tippah county, Mississippi, 
and lived there until 1855, when he came to 
California and purchased a large tract of land 
lying along the Salinas river in the vicinity 
of the present city of Salinas, at and around 
Blanco post office. In 1856 he returned to 
Mississippi for his family, with whom he took 
up his permanent abode in his chosen Cali- 
fornia home. 

Mr. Bardin was a man of great physical 
endurance and energy, was very ambitions 
and strictly honest. He was a shrewd farmer, 
thoroughly familiar with all matters pertain- 
ing thereto, and possessed of keen business 
instincts. Mr. Bardin purchased land at 
Blanco to the amount of 1,200 acres. Later 
he purchased one and one-half leagues of 



land on the west side of the Salinas river, 
which he improved and there lived for many 
years. At the time of his death he owned 
991 acres of land. 

Mr. Bardin's father was a blacksmith by 
trade, but as he preferred farming he engaged 
in that occupation, and at the time of his 
death owned a large plantation and many 
slaves. 

Mr. Bardin married a Miss Lucinda Wal- 
ker, a native of South Carolina, born in 1817, 
married in Tippah county, Mississippi, in 
April, 1842, and died November 29, 1878. 
She was a woman of great fortitude of char- 
acter, a true helpmate and affectionate mother. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bardin had ten children, viz.: 
Elizabeth, wife of James H. McDougall, 
of Salinas; Jesse; Henry; James; Charles; 
Lucinda, now Mrs. Robert Porter, and four 
deceased. The six living children are all 
residing on or owning portions of the family 
estate, and mention is made elsewhere of 
them. 



fESSE BARDIN, a successful farmer of 
the Salinas valley, is the third son of 
the late James Bardin, Esq.,and was born 
October 27, 1849, in Tippah county, Missis- 
sippi. 

He came to California in 1856 with the 
family, who settled in the Salinas valley, and 
here his boyhood and youth were spent. 

In 1872 Mr. Bardin was married to Miss 
Jennette, daughter of Harrison Cockrill, of 
Sonoma county, where he was an early settler 
and pioneer, and a well-known citizen of 
Santa Rosa. His daughter, Mrs. Bardin, is 
a native of Santa Rosa, where she was born 
April 20, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Bardin have 
had five children, namely: James A., Nellie, 
Annie L., Helen J. and Winifred. 



MONT E HE Y, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



Their home is located about two and one- 
half miles west of Salinas. In addition to 
this pleasant home he is the owner of valua- 
ble residence property in Pacilic Grove. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bardin are worthy represen- 
tatives of the grand old name they bear and 
which the honored father made so respected. 



fAPTAIN JONATHAN WRIGHT is 
one of the few early pioneers of Califor- 
nia still snrviviug, and is a man whom it 
is a pleasure to know. His experiences would 
fill volumes, as his life has extended over 
many years of thrilling adventure. It was 
he who with William Richardson drove the 
first wagon train that made its way overland 
from the Missouri river via Salt Lake in 18465 
proving that such a thing was not only 
possible but was quite as easy a route as any. 

Captain Wright and companion crossed 
over into California on Bear river in Yuba 
county. In October of that year Captain 
Wright enlisted under General Fremont, and 
remained with him six months and four 
days, making the trip to San Francisco, thence 
to Monterey and on into southern California. 
He received his discharge at San Gabriel Mis- 
sion April 12, 1847. Returning north to the 
Napa valley he worked in the redwood tim- 
ber business until the excitement arose about 
the discovery of gold, when he, like the rest 
of the world, hastened into the gold diggings. 

Not making a success of gold mining our 
subject returned to the less exciting life of 
civilization after a term of thirteen months. 
In 1859 he again came to Monterey, becoming 
lighthouse keeper at Point Pinos, remain- 
jncT in this position for about eighteeen 
months. Then came an experience in whal- 
ing in Monterey bay for about live years, 



since which time he has been engaged in the 
peaceful life of agriculture. 

Captain Wright, is the owner of a tine 
ranch in Monterey county, about twenty 
miles from Monterey city, where he raises 
about live hundred Angora goats. 

Twice has the gallant Captain become a 
benedict. His lirst marriage was in 1849, to 
Miss Luly Brown, of Sacramento, but she 
died in 1854, leaving two daughters, Mrs. E. 
H. Gates and Mrs. John Staples. The second 
marriage of our subject was with Mrs. Lizzie 
Claudy, by whom he has three daughters. 
The Captain, like all of his former profession, 
is bluff and pleasant, enjoying tales of the ad- 
ventures through which he has passed, al- 
though not more so than do his hearers. 



-mi 



&«lANUEL MARINO GONCALVES 
of Monterey, is a native of Portugal, 
where he was born August 13, 1828 ; 
since 1841, however, he has lived under the 
American flag, having come to Boston, 
Massachusetts when only thirteen years of 
age. From this port he made two voyages, in 
the bark Nines, Capt. LaFayette in command. 
This was a whaling vessel and these voyages 
consumed about live years of his life. At the 
end of the second cruise he shipped aboard 
the Commodore Preble and sailed into the 
Kamtschatka sea. This was a most successful 
three years' cruise, in which they took 3,000 
barrels of whale oil and a valuable lot of whale- 
bone, but the latter article was low in price, 
its market value being only twenty-five cents 
per pound, whereas it is now worth $4 
to §4.50 per pound. During this voyage 
several whaling boats were "stoven up" and 
seven men lost their lives while capturing 
the vicious whale of that rearion. 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



Upon tlie expiration of tiiis last cruise our 
subject engaged in the merchant-marine serv- 
ice, but this proved monotonous to the hardy 
sailor and tame after his adventures in the far 
North, and after two years he again resumed 
whaling, from New Bedford, Massachusetts, 
this time in the South seas. He made two 
voyages of twenty-two months each. Later 
he shij)ped from Stonington, Connecticut^ 
aboard the Betsy Waltham, to the Artie sea, 
where, in two seasons, they secured 5,000 
barrels of whale oil, taking as much as 250 
barrels from one tish. 

Upon a cruise to the Sandwich Islands his 
vessel, the United States, was condemned, and 
from the year 1856 to 1862 he was at the head 
of the Monterey Whaling Company, at Mon- 
terey. They only took about 100 barrels of 
oil per season at this station, except the year 
1861, when they secured about 1,500 barrels. 
The last whale captui'ed at Monterey was in 
the season of 1886. This was a fine specimen. 
Capt. Marino Goncalves then sold his interest 
in the company and retired from the business, 
and now resides in Monterey. 

Our subject was married in 1862, to Miss 
Clotilda Gardner, a daughter of William ft. 
Gardner, an Englishman by birth, and they 
have nine children living. 

The Captain is greatly respected where he 
is so well-known as a pioneer and worthy 
citizen of the old capital city. 

^ON. CLAUDE F. LACEY, of Salinas, 
In^ ^"lif"'"'!'^' '8 a native of old Monterey, 
tSaI born September 1, 1864. He came 
with his parents to Salinas in 1868, and has 
since made this place his home. When not 
attending the public schools, he worked on 
the ranch until he was fifteen years old. At 



that time he began to learn the blacksmith 
trade. It was hard work for a boy of his 
age, but his fine physique demonstrates that 
it caused him no injury. After working at 
the blacksmith trade two years, he attended 
school for a time, devoting his leisure mo- 
ments to the study and practice of short- 
hand writing. Becoming proficient in this, 
in the spring of 1884 he began reporting the 
court proceedings, and was subsequently ap- 
pointed Court Reporter, which position he con- 
tinues to fill. In 1886 and 1888 he was 
elected a Justice of the Peace of Alisal town- 
ship. 

As will be observed, Mr. Laccy's occupa- 
tions afforded him excellent opportunities to 
acquire a knowledge of the law, as well as to 
familiarize him with its forms and practice. 
Making the best of these advantages and still 
further equipping himself for the legal pro- 
fession by diligent study of the text-books, 
under the sagacious directions of Judge N. 
A. Doru, he was admitted to practice in the 
Supreme Court of the State in July, 1891. 
In the fall of 1890 he was elected a member 
of the State Assembly for Monterey county, 
as a Republican, in which body he served on 
the committees on apportionment and elec- 
tions, the Judiciary Committee, and the com- 
mittees on public buildings, public printing, 
and counties and county boundaries. 

Mr. Lacey was married in June, 1888, to 
Miss Emma Edrington. He is a prominent 
member of the Native Sons of the Golden 
West, and was the first president of Santa 
Lucia Parlor, No. 97. 



§L. BALL, one of the prominent citi- 
zens of Monterey county, is an ex- 
® ample of what business judgment and 
honorable persistence can accomplish, not 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



only for their possessor, but likewise for a 
community, fortunate enough to have an in- 
dividual like him for associate and counselor. 

Henry L. Ball was born March 4, 1830, in 
Chautauqua county, New York. He becran 
when a mere boy to encounter the labors of 
a farm, and except while he was attending the 
public schools near his home, he worked as 
industriously as the typical farmer boy. 
When he had reached his sixteenth year he 
accompanied his parents to Wisconsin, where, 
in Jefferson county, they founded a new 
home. There for some four years young Ball 
was employed in handling horses and team- 
ing. His next step was an important one, 
and spiced with adventure withal, for he now 
sought distant fields for the enterprise of his 
young manhood, arriving in Piacervilie, Cali- 
fornia, September 5, 1850. Mr. Ball is 
hence a pioneer. 

He passed the winter in Piacervilie, after- 
ward trying his hand at mining at Downie- 
ville and Mud Springs till August, 1851. 
Meeting with indifferent success, and feeling 
that fortune for him was not to be won with 
pan and shovel, he went to Sacramento and 
engaged in staging and teaming till 1856. 
His next move was to Shasta county, where 
he took up land, and farmed and worked in 
the lumber business for eleven years. In 
1867 he went to San Jose, where he tarried 
for a year, and then moved to Monterey 
county. Here he has since resided. He first 
located on the Alisal ranch, near Salinas, 
where he farmed six years. In this he met 
with unqualified success. 

In 1874 Mr. Ball purchased property in 
Salinas, and, in connection with ex-United 
States Marshal Franke, erected the first brick 
building, a livery stable, in the town. When 
he first came to Salinas, the place was a broad 



expanse of mustard. He, like others of that 
period, felt confident that it must some day 
be a county-seat; and from the time of his 
arrival here, he has been prominent and ac- 
tive in everything that could promote the ad- 
vancement of the town. 

His success as a grain farmer and his solid 
business qualifications attracted the attention 
of Isaac Friedlander, the then "Wheat King 
of the World,'" with whom he became as- 
sociated in buying grain and warehousing the 
same. At the same time he was busy in 
erecting warehouses in Gonzales, Chualar, 
Salinas and Castroville. Some idea of the 
magnitude of the business of this firm may 
be obtained by the statement that the first 
two years of the partnership, their business 
amounted to over $2,000,000. This partner- 
ship continued for seven years, up to the 
date of Mr. Friedlander's death, after which 
Mr. Ball conducted it alone. For the past 
six years he has been conducting farming 
operations on his ranch of 900 acres, located 
three miles north of Salinas, although he is 
still actively engaged in the warehouse busi- 
ness. 

It is said of Mr. Ball that he is an authority 
on grain production, both as to methods of 
agriculture, and its standing in the markets 
of the world, for a quarter of a century past. 
He prides himself on the accuracy and com- 
pleteness of his great statistics, they being 
frequently consulted by the great grain buy- 
ers of tlie State. 

That Mr. Ball during this busy period has 
secured the respect of his fellow-citizens is 
vouched for by the fact that he was the first 
Mayor elected in Salinas, and continued to 
hold that office for eleven consecutive years. 
And he has never sought office. His desire 
has been the laudable one of being useful in 
the community, which he calls his home. He 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



is a life member of tlie Monterey District 
Acrricultural Association, and a director of 
the Salinas City Board of Trade. 

Mr. Ball was married to Miss Eva B. Al- 
len, of Salinas, his second wife, in 1872, and 
by her has one child. 

fOHN WRmilT, of Hollister, is a suc- 
cessful farmer of San Benito county and 
a pioneer of the State, having crossed 
the plains from Wabash county, Indiana, in 
1854. He is a native of Ireland, cotning to 
America in 1848. His first place of residence 
was New York, where he remained until 
1852, and then spent the next two years in 
Indiana. Upon his arrival in California he 
resided in Yuba and Sierra counties, where 
be followed mining until he came to Hollis- 
ter and became one of the original purchasers 
of a fraction of the Hollister grant. His 
present holdings comprise 344 acres of fer- 
tile soil adjoining the town corporation. 

Mr. Wriglit is one of the most popular 
of the citizens of his county, and enjoys the 
esteem and respect of all wlio know him. 

5ATTHEW WILSON, one of the 
leading farmers of Hollister, San 
Benito county, has been a resident of 
California since 1869. 

Mr. Wilson is a native of the Emerald 
Isle, born August 14, 1862. At the age of 
eighteeen years he left home and alone era- 
barked for America, coming to this land of 
the free to seek his fortune. Joseph H., of 
Redwood City, Thomas, of Lorapoc, and 
William, of Menlo Park, are brothers of Mr. 
Wilson, who came to this State later on. 



Another one of his brothers is Chief of 
Police of the commonwealth of New Zealand. 

Upon his arrival in California, Mr. Wilson 
commenced work for the Southern Pacific 
Railroad Company. He hrst worked on the 
grade, but was soon advanced to the position 
of head track layer, and as such laid the track 
between San Jose and (iilroy. He took up 
contracting in San Francisco, and finally came 
to Hollister and engaged in stock-raising and 
ranching on his present place. Here he 
owns 416 acres of the finest soil of the 
county. 

Mr. Wilson was married, in 1877, to Miss 
Maggie L. McCarty, of Hollister, a member 
of one of the old families of San Benito 
county. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have four 
sons and one daughter. 

PAVID YOUNG, a California pioneer of 
1849, is a native of Halifax county, 
Virginia, born in 1824. He was the 
son of Jesse Young, a farmer by occupation. 
At the time of the Revolution, the last 
named gentleman was fifteen years old and a 
son of a Revolutionary soldier, a native of 
Scotland. Jesse was reared to the trade of a 
blacksmith, and during the war put in much 
of his time, though but a lad, in shoeing 
horses for the soldiers. After the close of 
the conflict he closed his shop and engaged in 
farming, marrying the mother of our sub- 
ject. In 1835 he removed with his family 
to Barren county, Kentucky, where he died 
at an advanced age. 

David grew up in Barren county on the 
farm, until 1841, when he located in Piatt 
county, Missouri, where he lived until he 
came to California. During 1849, 1850 and 
1851 he mined in Placer county, with aver- 



408 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



age success, but in 1852 he engaged in farm- 
ing, near San Jose, where he remained until 
1868, and then located on his present place 
of 172 acres in Fair View, San Benito county, 
being one of the original purchasers of the 
Hollister grant. 

Mr. Young married, in 1853, Miss Sarah 
Johnson, at San Jose, and they have three 
children. They are estimable people and it 
is to the energy of such pioneers that Fair 
Yiew owes its prosperity. 

fHOMAS J. CONKLING, one of San 
Benito county's substantial citizens, 
iw resides near Tres Pinos. Of him we 
make the following brief record: 

Thomas J. Conkling was born in Clermont 
county, Ohio, May 12, 1835, son of Zela and 
Sarah (Chapman) Conkling, natives of New 
Jersey and Maryland respectively. In the 
spring of 1838 the Conkling family moved to 
Missouri and located in what was then Liv- 
ingston, now Grundy county. It was here in 
the valley of the Grand river that Mr. Conk- 
ling spent his youth and received his school- 
ing. He commenced life as a school teacher 
and after teaching for awhile entered Grand 
River College at Edinburgh, where he took 
a four years' course. He held the office of 
Deputy Court Commissioner and also Deputy 
County Recorder of his county from 1857 
to 1860. He then served about eight months 
in the Confederate army, from his State, a 
portion of the time acting as Chief Clerk of the 
Muster-roll Department. He retired from 
the army on account of poor health, and 
came to California. This was in 1863. For 
a time he worked on farms by the month, 
and in 1869, just after his marriage, he lo- 
cated on his present home. He now owns 



720 acres, one of the best grain farms in San 
Benito county. In 1875 Mr. Conkling served 
on the County Board of Supervisors, per- 
forming his duty faithfully and with much 
ability, and was elected to a second term of 
three years. His general information and 
knowledge of business affairs render him a 
valued citizen, and he is held in higli esteem 
by all who know him. 

Mrs. Conkling was formerly Miss Sarah A. 
Dryden, she was born in Missouri, May 10, 
1837, and is a dau jhter of Jonathan Dryden, 
of Santa Clara county, this State. 

fANIEL DOOLING, generally called 
"Governor" Dooling, was born in Kerry 
county, Ireland, December 25, 1828. 
In 1846 he left his native land and emi- 
grated to America, landing at New York. 
From that city he went to Stockton, Massa- 
chusetts, and from there to Bridgeport, Con- 
necticut, being employed at the latter place 
in loading coal ships. While there he con- 
tracted ship fever. Recovering from his 
sickness, he went, in 1849, to Georgia, where 
he was employed on the Atlatitic & Macon 
railroad, then being constructed. 

From Georgia Mr. Dooling came to Cali- 
fornia, landing in San Francisco in 1851. 
After a short time he went to Sacramento, 
and from there sought the mines. He was 
engaged in mining for fifteen years, and 
understands the business thoroughly in its 
every detail. Leaving the mines, he returned 
to San Francisco. In 1869 he came to Hol- 
lister, and has since resided at this place. 
Here he engaged in the dairy business, and 
in it has been successful. His pleasa!;t home 
called Fair View, is located near Hollister. 
Mr. Doolins was married in 1868 to Miss 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



Hannah Lef. Their union has been blessed 
with five children, three sons and two daugh- 
ters, and the oldest one living is now the wife 
of Ed Holbrook, Sheriff of San Benito 
county. 



fATRICK COLLINS, a native of Ire- 
land, has been a resident of Monterey 
county, since 1868. This gentleman 
was born, in county of Coric, Ireland, in 
1838, and catne direct from his native land to 
California, where he first found employment 
on a farm, near Watsonville. Hlere he re- 
mained for about six years and then located 
at Castroville, on the Moro Cojo ranch, where 
he has since resided. He leases about 400 
acres of land, on which he raises stock, grain 
and dairy products. 

Our snl)ject married, in 1873, Margaret 
Mahoney, and they have four sons and four 
daughters. He is a thorough and successful 
farmer and a respected citizen. 

|ICIIAEL BARRY is a well-known 
\j^ farmer of Castroville, who came to 
California in April, 1858, from East 
Abington, Massachusetts. He is a native 
of county Cork, Ireland, where he was born, 
March 25, 1835. His parents both died in 
1850, and he almost immediately set sail for 
the United States, bringing with him a small 
sum of money. His relatives had all pre- 
ceded him to this country, one of them, an 
uncle, Michael Barry, was for seventeen suc- 
cessive years Town Clerk of New York city. 
Our subject remained in the East for some 
time, where he learned and pursued for 
seven years the trade of shoemaking. Later 
he learned stove cutlery and pursued that 
calling for three years. 



Upon arrival in San Fiancisco, he shipped 
as fireman on the Golden Gate, a steamship 
which then plied between that city and the 
Isthmus of Panama, but finally, tiring of 
the sea life, he located at Castroville, in tlie 
fall of 1863, where he now owns a valuable 
farm, of 350 acres and ranges five herds of 
stock. 

Mr. Barry was married, March 13, 1858, in 
Boston, Massachusetts, to Margaret Hoyes, a 
native of Ireland, born in county Cork. She 
has borne him seven living children, namely: 
Mary A., now Mrs. Daniel Hurley, of Castro- 
ville; Edward H., a farmer of Gonzales; 
Annie, now Mrs. William Sterling, of St. 
Louis, Missouri; Margaret, Kate, John and 
William, the last four of whom are at home. 

Mr. Barry is a well-informed man of ster- 
ling integrity, a successful farmer, a promi- 
nent Democrat and respected citizen. 



fAMES WOOD is one of the early settlers 
of the Pdjaro valley. He came direct 
from the town of Monmouth, Illinois, 
crossing the plains with teams. He made 
the trip in company with a party of emi- 
grants and their route lay through Salt Lake, 
and Carson Canon. The company was made 
up of about 160 persons, who were under 
the direction of Captain Clapp. Typhoid 
fever and malaria, known in those days as 
mountain cholera, affected this party, of whom 
forty-seven died, and were buried along the 
route. The company had organized at Coun- 
cil Bluffs, where parties were usually formed, 
some as small as four or five teams of oxen. 
Here it was that our party had their first 
glimpse of the " red men," but as they be- 
longed to the friendly Pawnee tribe, the com- 
pany experienced no trouble from them, nor 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SA.\TA CRUZ, 



could they complain of any of the savages 
a'.onCT the entire route. 

Upon arrival in California Mr. Wood spent 
his first winter at Placerville, but in February 
went to the Feather river mines and spent 
six weeks. Here he was compelled to pay 
$300 for a bag of flour, and all other pro- 
visions were proportionately high, and his 
mining tools were very expensive. The bed 
of the Feather river at that time showed 
rich deposits of gold, but very few had time 
to stop to secure it, although it was in sight. 
They were bound for richer fields. 

Mr. Wood went to Grass valley, and ar- 
rived there with a lame mnleand twenty-five 
cents in cash as the extent of his worldly 
possessions. At this place he received $10 
per day for his work, and soon opened and 
operated a miners' hotel. In 1853 he located 
in Pajaro valley, where there were but two 
houses, one of which, an old adobe, is now 
occupied by William Spiegles, a pioneer of 
Monterey county. 

Mr. Wood purchased 300 acres of land in 
this valley, in 1855, and he now has a tine 
home of twenty-six acres at Pdjaro Station. 

Mr. Wood married, in 1884, Elizabeth 
(Gruewell) Taylor, a widow of William C. 
Taylor, deceased. She is a native of Indiana, 
and was born at Boonsville. She is a daugh- 
ter of Jonathan Gruewell. Mr. Wood and 
his wife have three children: James L., born 
July 6, 1885; Hazel, born April 19, 1887; 
and one born April 12, 1891. 

fORNELIUS H I C K E Y.— This gencle- 
man is a native of Limerick, Ireland, 
born June 5, 1827. His father, John 
Hickey, came to America in 1829, with his 
family and settled in Susquehanna county. 



Pennsylvania, where he reared his family of 
eight children and where all of the children, 
except our subject, settled. 

Our subject came with James McMahon, 
now of San Jose, in 1850. He spent the 
year of 1851 and a portion of tiie following 
year in the mines of Sierra, and then located 
at San Juan, where he lived until 1875. He 
then spent six years in Oakland, and in 1882 
located at IloUister, which has since been his 
home. 

In 1854 he married Miss Ann Brum, 
wlio died at Oakland, in 1869, leaving two 
daughters: Ellen, now Mrs. John Welch, of 
Hollister; and Annie, who died at the age of 
eighteen. In 1874 Mr. Hickey again mar- 
ried Mrs. Jennie Pepper, of Hollister, 
and two daughters have been born to these 
two, namely: Lula and Annie. 

Mr. Hickey is a carpenter by trade and has 
followed this calling for more than thirty 
years. He is held in high esteem as a citi- 
zen and takes a somewhat active part in the 
local politics. He owns a pleasant home in 
Hollister and is surrounded by a happy 
family. 



fON FRANCISCO RICO is a native of 
Guadalajara, Mexico, born January 11, 
1826. His father, Don Vicente Rico, 
was born in the same place, in 1781, was a 
soldier of the Mexican artillery, and a captain 
of his company. By trade he was a saddle- 
maker. In 1880 he came to San Diego, Cali- 
fornia, and the following year to Monterey. 
The mother of our subject, nee Guadalupe 
Villarnel de Rico, was born in the city of 
Guadalajara, December 12, 1808. She was 
married to Vicente Rico March 7, 1824, and 
Francisco was the only son born to them. 
Two years after the father's death the mother 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



married Theodore Gonzales, who was also 
of Mexican birth. He came to California in 
1825, and lived at Monterey, where he was a 
man of political influence, and where he 
figured in 1836 as Alcalde. He was grantee 
of the Rincon de la Puente and Sur Cliiquito 
ranchos, and was regarded as a man of wealth. 

Francisco Rico was reared and educated 
at Monterey. In 1845 he was appointed by 
the Mexican Govern iiient second officer of the 
port of Monterey, under Pablo de la Guerre, 
being then about nineteen years of age. That 
responsible position he held until the American 
occupation. He also held the captaincy of a 
company of the Monterey cavalry for a time. 
Alter the change of government he was ex- 
tensively engaged in the stock business in 
Monterey county until 1849. Upon the dis- 
covery of gold he turned his attention to 
mining and merchandising, in partnership 
with the Hon. Thomas O. Larkin, in the Dry 
Creek diggings, their partnership continuing 
a year, after which he prosecuted the biisiness 
alone. His mining operations were conducted 
with great vigor and on a large scale, and 
covered a period of about five years, during 
which time over $300,000 in pure gold was 
secured. He then engaged in merchandising 
and stock-raising. The dry years of 1863 and 
'64 resulted in heavy losses of stock, which 
finally proved a financial calamity to him and 
to hundreds of other leading capitalists of 
California. Since that time Mr. Kico has re- 
sided quietly in Monterey, and for the past 
several years has been practically retired. 

He was married in Los Angeles, in the 
the summer of 1847, to Tomasa Sepulvedade 
Rico. She died in Los Angeles, October 21, 
1870, leaving a family of seven sons and one 
daughter. The names of the children born 
to them are as follows: Guadalupe, August 
20, 1847: Vincent E., November 15, 1849, 



died in 1852; Vincent E., November 15, 
1850; Francisco, in 1851; Alexandre F., 
January 21, 1857; Jose, April 13, 1858, died 
in 1860; Jose B., June 5, 1859, now a resi- 
dent of Salinas; Thomas F., February, 1861; 
Maria, wife of Sostens Sepulveda, born in 
1862; Berloldo E., March 29, 1867; and 
Fredrico, born in 1869 and died in 1870. 

Don Francisco Rico is in the highest sense 
of the term an honorable gentleman. As a 
public ofiicer and a private citizen his record 
is above reproach. He is a man of generous 
impulses, and in manner is genial and affable. 
Few men of the present day have figured 
more conspicuously and honorably in the past 
history of Monterey than he. 



IILLIAM SNIBLEY. — Few men 
1 have seen more of frontier life than 
==ri "William Snibley, one of Hollister's 
old settlers. He was born in Warren countv, 
Pennsylvania, son of Jacob Snibley, a Ger- 
man by birth, who came to America in 1832, 
with his wife and one child, a daughter. He 
located on a farm in Pennsylvania, where he 
lived about three years, and then emigrated 
to Du Page county, Illinois, where he re- 
mained until 1850, when, with the subject 
of this sketch, he crossed the plains via St 
Jo, Missouri, and Salt Lake, with a two-horse 
team. The trip occupied about four months, 
and they arrived at Hangtown, now Placer- 
ville, August 4. Here they spent two years 
in the mines, and then returned home, where 
the father died. The mother had already 
passed away, in 1849. She left ten children 
to mourn her loss, of whom William was the 
second born and oldest living. 

Our subject has passed through all the 
vicissitudes of pioneer life in a new country. 



MONTEREY, f-AN BENITO, SANTA UROZ, 



His boyhood, youth and manhood have all 
been spent in the frontier settlements of the 
various States in which he has lived. Born 
with a strong constitution, he withstood 
physical hardships that would have wrecked 
a less vigorous man. After the death of his 
father, he returned to Oalifornia and resumed 
mining, which he followed in its various 
branches until about 1869. During this 
time he spent much time in hunting wild 
game, and was known throughout the camp 
as a " crack shot." 

He came to San Benito in 1869 and en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising near 
Hollister. He now owns and conducts one 
of the livery and feed stables in Hollister. 

Our subject was married, in 1890, to Nar- 
cissa Vargas, a daughter of Don Francisco 
Vargas, a native of Spain, who lived many 
years in Mexico, and later in Monterey 
county. He was prominent in the business 
circles of Monterey, and was an intelligent 
and enterprising man. Mrs. Snibley was 
born in Monterey, where she received a good 
education. She is recognized as a lady 
possessing fine domestic traits. She has pre- 
sented her husband with one daughter. Three 
brothers are mentioned elsewiiere in this 
volume, and they are residents of Hollister. 

fUAN ETCHEVERRY, a successful busi- 
ness man and prominent rancher at Tres 
Finos, San Benito county, California, is 
a native of France, born October 6, 1830. 
He lived in South America for a brief period 
before coming tu this country, having left 
his native land in 1849. He came to Cali- 
fornia in 1851, and mined for three years at 
Murphy's Camp. He then purchased stock 
in Southern California, drove the same north, 



and then sold at a profit in the mining dis- 
tricts. He lived for many years in the San 
Joaquin valley, engaged in stock-raising. 
Extending his business operations into San 
Benito county, he purchased land at Tres 
Pinos, and finally located thereon, where he 
has for many years resided. He owns 1,400 
acres of fine land in and adjoining Tres Pinos 
village, which includes the Southern Pacific 
hotel stables and several rentable houses in 
the same block. 

Mr. Etcheverry married, at Visalia, Miss 
Mary Amastoy. a lady of French birth. They 
have one son, John Felix, born July 29, 
1880. Mr. and Mrs. Etcheverry have a large 
number of friends and acquaintances in this 
vicinity, by all of whom they are esteemed 
for their many good qualities. 



fUAN INDART, a leading rancher of 
Tres Pinos, San Benito county, Cali- 
fornia, was born in France in 1826. He 
came to California in 1851, via South America, 
spending a brief time at Buenos Ay res. After 
his arrival in California he was engaged for 
several years in mining in Calaveras county. 
He subsequently turned his attention to 
dealing in stock. With a partner, he bought 
cattle in Southern California and drove them 
north to the mines and sold them tor beef. 
He ranched for several y.ears in the King's 
River valley, and in 1873 located his present 
ranch near Tres Pinos, where he owns about 
3,600 acres of the choicest farming and graz- 
ing land in San Benito county, it being a 
portion of the Santa Ana grant. Eight 
hundred acres of it are devoted to grain 
raising, and the rest to stock grazing. 

Mr. Indart was married in 1863, in San 
Francisco, to Miss Mary Errica, also a native 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



of France. Following are the names of their 
children: Peter John, Tillie, Mary, Domica 
and John Feter; the last two being twins. 

The Indart estate is one of the best in the 
county of SanBenito, and has been peipetuated 
bj the frngal industry and business sagacity 
of its founder; and no family is more highly 
esteemed for their sterling qualities than that 
of John Juan Indart. 



|p| AMBEllT IRELAN, M. D.— This ven- 
ft^ erable practitioner of the " healing art " 
=S^ was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 20, 
1819. His parents were Japhet and Mary 
(Lambert) Irelan, natives of New Jersey and 
Kentucky, respectively. His father was a 
manufacturer and wholesale dealer in shoes 
at Cincinnati. His two sons, Japhet and the 
subject of this sketch, were educated in the 
public schools of that city, Lambert also tak- 
ing a course at the Cincinnati seminary. His 
first medical studies were with Dr. Daniel 
Drake, with whom he subsequently went to 
Cooper Medical society at Louisville, where he 
was granted matriculation papers. In 1845 
he began the practice of medicine at Spencer, 
Indiana. He subsequently went to Chilli- 
cothe, Missouri, and thence across the plains 
to California. Of this camping-out trip the 
Doctor laughs and relates many amusing in- 
cidents. He arrived in Weaverville, Trinity 
county, California, September 21, 1850, and 
remained there till Decemljer, when he went 
to Stockton. There he practiced medicine 
till 1864, when he located in Watsonville. 
Here he has built up a large and lucrative 
practice. He also had a fine drug store, which 
he lost by fire afew years ago, his fine library 
being consumed by flames at the same time. 
Of his private life it may be stated that 



Dr. Irelan was married at Fort Wayne, Indi- 
ana, in 1846, to Miss Martha McGashlan, by 
whom he had seven children: John Eberly; 
Amanda; Mary, deceased ; Richard W.; Eliz- 
abeth, deceased; Laura, wife of Mr. McCasler; 
and Frances. His first wife died in Septem- 
ber, 1868, and in September, 1869, he mar- 
ried Mrs. Charlotte Johnson, by whom he has 
two children, Nellie and Lambert. She had 
eight children by her former marriage, who 
have grown up useful and highly respected 
citizens. 

Socially, the Doctor is connected with the 
Masonic fraternity, having been a member of 
that order for many years. His residence is 
at the corner of Third and Carr streets, Wat- 
sonville, and he also owns other valuable 
property in the city. 

— .■.. .? . ; . .; - ^ ^ — 



J^EORGE M. EUTTERFIELD, of Bear 
iiw V"alley, is one of the substantial and 
W'- most highly esteemed citizens of San 
Benito county, where he has made his honje 
for so many years and become so justly popular 
with all his fellow-townsmen. 

Mr. Buttertield is the third son of the 
revered Thomas Butterfield, an honored pio- 
neer of California, and a resident of HoUister. 
Our subject was born at Wilton, Maine, Au- 
gust 24, 1833. He came with his father 
across the plains, in 1833, to Califor- 
nia. He is now the owner of a fertile and 
productive farm in Bear Valley, and with his 
estimable wife and family is enjoying the 
fruits of years of patient industry and fru- 
gality. 

Mr. Butterfield was married, in 1858, Feb- 
ruary 14, near the town of Alpha, in Nevada 
county, California, to Miss Cordelia C, daugh- 
ter of G. P. Hill. Mrs. Butterfield is a native 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



of Yerrnont, and came with her parents to 
California, in 1857, and located in Napa 
county. Of her six children, four sons are 
living, namely: Oscar, George A., Elmer E. 
and Ebben Thomas. At this time, 1892, all 
are still single and are industrious, sober 
young men, prosperous farmers, popular 
throughout San Benito county,and are a credit 
to the honored name they bear. Mr. Eutter- 
lield has cause to be proud of so promising a 
family. 

fEORGE W. ROADHOLTSE is a 
native of the Badger State, having been 
born at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, April 
18, 1847. His father, Joseph A. Koadhouse, 
was a California pioneer of 1849, a station 
tavern keeper by occupation. He built the 
Six Mile House on the old Sonoma pike, near 
Stockton, in San Joaquin county, in 1849, 
and conducted the same for three years. In 
1852 he sold out and came to Monterey 
county and located in Pajaro township, about 
six miles from Watsonville, midway between 
that town and Castroville. Plere he also 
carried on farming and raised stock and con- 
tinued to reside until his death occurred, in 
1871. He was a native of Yorkshire, En- 
gland, and married Charlotte E. Morris, who 
was born in London, England. Mr. Road- 
house was a veterinary surgeon and followed 
the same as a profession for several years dur- 
ing his earlier manhood. His widow still 
survives him, aged seventy-three years, at 
Westonville. She has two sons and three 
daughters, all living. 

The subject of this sketch was the eldest of 
the family and was educated at the Univer- 
sity of the Pacific, at which institution he 
graduated, December 18, 1863. He then 
read law on the farm, where he had spent his 



boyhood and youth. Later he pursued his 
studies at Monterey and was admitted to 
practice in 1871. 

Upon the death of his father he retired to 
the farm, where he spent four years. He was 
then elected Recorder of Monterey county, in 
1877, and served two years. He has held 
the office of Justice of the Peace for eight 
years. 

Mr. Roadhouse married, in Monterey, in 
1868, Emma Rock, and five children are the 
result of this marriage. Mr. Roadhouse is 
a prominent member of L O. O. F. and has 
held the honorable position of Grand Master 
of the State. 

fHARLES MoFADDEN, one of the 
California pioneers came to the State as 
early as 1853. Mr. Mc Fadden was born 
in the north of Ireland, in 1822, and came to 
America with an uncle and aunt, who located 
at St. Johns. Here he spent his boyhood and 
youth, but came to Dane county, Wisconsin, 
and lived there about three years, when t-lie 
attractions of the great West drew him across 
the plains to California, via Council Bluffs 
and Salt Lake City. Upon his arrival in 
California he went to the mines, but on ac- 
count of ill health he remained only three 
months and then removed to San Francisco, 
where he stayed a short time, but the milling 
business, in the redwoods of Santa Clara 
county offering attractions to him, he went 
to that locality and engaged in that business 
for about five years. 

In 1859 he bought a portion of his present 
home, about 200 acres, to which he has added 
until he is now the owner of about 400 acres. 
Here he carried on a dairy for about three 
months, but since that time has engaged in 
general farming. 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



In 1875 our subject married Miss Sophia, 
a daughter of John Tarby, one of the pioneers 
of the Salinas valley. Mr. and Mrs. Mc Fad- 
den have six children, namely: Frank, Thresa, 
Sarah, David, Mary S., and Charles J. Mr. 
Mc Fadden is a successful farmer and a re- 
spected citizen, who has seen much of pioneer 
life in Monterey county. 

S. BORDGES was bora on the West- 
ern Isles, January 1, 1848. He 
* came to America, via Boston, Mas- 
sachusetts, in 1871, and after remaining at 
Boston about three months he engaged in 
farming in Massachusetts for a short time, 
and then came to California. After his arrival 
in this State he first worked for a short time 
on a farm at San Jose, and then made his 
way to the Salinas valley, about 1874, where 
he now owns a good farm of about 190 acres. 
He has gained an independent position in his 
community by his untiring industry, and has 
gained the respect of all who know him. Mr. 
Bordges has one brother, J. S. Bordges, who has 
been a resident of California for about nine- 
teen years. The two brothers live on farms 
adjoining. In addition to his farm already 
mentioned, our subject is the owner of 125 
acres known as the Thomas Grove's place. 

Mr. Bordges is married and has seven sons 
and one daughter. He is a prosperous and 
successful citizen, and enjoys the comfort his 
hands have gained for him. 



tLONZO T. GARNER,a well-to-do farm- 
er and stock- raiser of San Benito, county, 
California, was born inMissouri, Octo- 
ber 28, 1843. 



Mr. Garner was reared in his native State, 
and in 1861, when the Civil war broke out, he 
joined the C<jnfederate array and fought for 
the principles he at that time deemed just. 
He served the cause until 1865, being held a 
prisoner at Indianapolis by the opposing 
forces six months of that time. 

After the war closed Mr. Garner came 
across the plains to California, arriving at 
Placerville in September, 1865. He soon 
went to Nevada, where he spent two years, 
and then came again to California, locating at 
Stockton and engaging in the sheep business. 
It was not long before he purchased, of Hay- 
den H. Doudy, a squatter's right to the land 
on which he now lives, then unsurvejed land. 
To this he has since added, until he now owns 
545 acres of tilled land. 

Mr. Garner was married at Stockton, in 
1871, to Miss Mary Bett, a native of Merced 
county, California. They have three chil- 
dren: Leola, Georgia and Richard. 



I^OBERT H. CLARK, of Soledad, is a son 
I^S °^ Mark Clark, a resident of California 
^^ since 1868, who now resides in Merced 
county. He came to California from Tennes- 
see, his native State, being born there Sep- 
tember 18, 1848. Here he married Miss Ellen 
Hunter, a native of the same State. Of their 
nine children seven are living, and of these 
seven Robert is the oldest. Mark Clark first 
located at Natividad, in Monterey county, and 
there lived until 1891. He opened the first 
blacksmith shop at Gonzales, and in 1886 
sold the same to the subject of this sketch. 

Robert H. Clark was born in 1862, August 
27, in Washington county, Tennessee. He 
learned his trade of his father, and has pur- 
sued the same about twenty-one years. 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



His marriage occurred in 1876, October 
20, to Miss Hattie L., daughter of Josepli 
Smith. She is a native daughter of the State, 
having been born at Badago Corners, in So- 
noma county. They have two children, Ralph 
and Russel. 

Mr. Clark is a Democrat in politics, but 
liberal in his views. He is a member of the 
Baptist Church of Gonzales, and he and his 
estimable wife are highly respected citizens 
of the place where they live. 



fILAS CAMBRIDGE, a well-known and 
much respected citizen of Soledad, Mon- 
terey county, California, dates his birth 
in Johnson county, Indiana, February 4, 1838, 
son of John Cambridge, a farmer by occupa- 
tion. His parents had four sons and one 
daughter, he being next to the youngest. His 
mother died when he was an infant, and his 
father only survived her a few years, his death 
occurring in 1846, when Silas was eight years 
old. Thus, left an orphan at an early age, 
young Cambridge was "bound out" to a Mr. 
Isaac Bowen, an Iowa farmer, with whom he 
was to remain until he reached his majority. 
His educational advantages were meager. 

In 1859, at the age of twenty-one, Mr. 
Cambridge came to California. The first four 
years of his residence in this State he was em- 
ployed in San Francisco, driving a freighting 
truck. He then drove stage from San Jose 
to Santa Cruz for six years. He subsequently 
worked for Flint »te Bixby, driving stage be- 
tween San Juan and San Luis Obispo, pass 
ing through the Salinas valley many years 
before it was settled. It was at that time 
utilized as an open stock range. 

Mr. Cambridge purchased his present prop- 
erty in Soledad in 1886, since which time he 



has conducted a livery and feed stable here. 
He has been successful in his business, and 
being of a genial disposition, has made many 
friends. He is of German descent. In politics 
he is a Republican. 

He was married, December 5, 1878, to Miss 
Katie Page, of Watsonville. They have three 
children, Maud M., Charles M. and George S. 



►>^ 



SR. MEYER, Esq., a resident of San 
Benito, California, and one of the wor- 
" thy pioneers of the Golden State, is 
deserving of more than a passing notice on 
the pages of this volume. It is a matter of 
regret that limited space in a work of this 
character will not permit us to publish in 
full the lives of these pioneers, many of 
which are replete with experiences as instruc- 
tive and interesting as they are thrilling. 

F. R. Meyer was born in Germany, March 
3, 1828, and accompanied his parents to 
Texas in 1844. His father was an educated 
man, and is supposed to have been killed by 
the Indians who then infested that country. 
His mother died at Cedar bayou, Harrison 
county, Texas, in 1S47, of yellow fever. 

In April, 1846, after the annexation of 
Texas, young Meyer was in Galveston, when 
the report started that the Mexican fleet had 
effected a landing on Point Bolivar. This 
caused great excitement, and a call was issued 
for volunteers to man the Stephen F. Austin, 
a twenty-eight-gun war ship to be used for 
coast and harbor defense. He and many 
others responded, went on board of that ship, 
signed the articles, and served on board till 
September, 1846. at which time the ship was 
ordered to Pensacola, United States Navy 
Yard, and he was honorably discharged and 
paid off by the United States Commissioner. 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



417 



Toung Meyer left Texas with three com- 
panies bound for California in February, 
1849, via the El Taso route. They were 
driven back by the Indians and changed their 
course, coining by way of San Antonio. At 
this point they met Colonel Jack Hayes, who 
was under contract to furnish supplies to the 
United States army, at that time guarding 
the Mexican frontier and fighting Indians. 
Mr. Meyer engaged to superintend the butch- 
ering department of Colonel Hayes' enter- 
prise, stationed at El Paso. The Colonel 
was soon delegated by the Government to 
negotiate a treaty with the Apache Indians, 
and Mr. Meyer was chosen one of eighteen 
men to aid him in his mission, in which a 
period of four months was passed without 
seeing the face of a white man besides those 
belonging to his party. At this time Mr. 
Meyer was between twenty-one and twenty- 
two years of age. He then crossed the 
mountains into California, reaching Los An- 
geles in 1849. There he spent one month 
and then proceeded to Monterey, through the 
Salinas valley, thence via San Juan and Pa- 
checo pass into the mines of Mariposa county. 
After mining one year, he engaged in mer- 
chandising, traveling through the mining 
regions with his stock of goods on pack mules. 
That country was then full of hostile Indians. 
They raided the mining camps, killed 153 
white men, stampeded Captain Meyer's pack 
train, stole |5,000 worth of goods, and as a 
result he, after vigorous efl'ort to recover the 
same, abandoned this line of business. Then, 
after mining a few months, he went to San 
Francisco and joined the Lopez expedition to 
Cuba. As a disastrous result of that enter- 
prise he drifted to sea from the isle of Cuba 
on a whale boat, from which he was rescued 
by the steamer Falcon, and landed in New 
Orleans in August, 1851. 



From New Orleans Mr. Meyer returned to 
Texas, and while there married Miss Rose 
Fromner. After his marriage he came back 
to California, via the Nicarauga route, and 
resumed mining and trading on Oregon bar, 
Yuba county. He subsequently engaged in 
ranching in Yuba county, and also developed 
a vineyard and orchard in Nevada county. 
In 1870 he located at his present home, near 
San Benito, where he owns an 800-acre stock 
and grain farm. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have 
had ten children, of whom seven survive. 

Mr. Meyer acquired a good education, has 
a large fund of general information, and is 
versed upon the important issues of the day, 
political and otherwise. He has held the 
office of Justice of the Peace for a long time, 
and has served as Trustee of his school dis- 
trict many years. 

aETER CONRAD.— Mr. Conrad is one 
ffl^ of the venerable citizens of Hollister 
^C and is a native of Germany, having 
been born in the Province of Rhine, Septem- 
ber 29, 1818. He inherited a good business 
mind from his father and received a liberal 
schooling in his native land. He emigrated 
to America when nineteen years of age. His 
first location was at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, 
in 1843, where he engaged in farming and 
in an insurance and loaning business. This 
latter he was able to carry on as he had estab- 
lished credit in England and controlled large 
amounts of money, which he negotiated in 
the form of loans, secured by mortages on 
lands. 

Upon coming to California he located in 
San Benito county, near Hollister, where he 
purchased 320 acres of land and engaged in 
farming. To this property he added broad 
acres which he still owns. 



418 



MONTEREY, SA2f BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



Our subject was married, at Bridgeport, 
New York, April 25, 1843, to Elizabeth E., 
a daughter of Wheeler French, of that city, 
who was a contractor and house-builder of 
New England ancestry, and his wife of En- 
glish descent. Mrs. Conrad was born Janu- 
ary 1, 1823, and her children are as follows: 
John William, deceased; George F., deceased; 
Louise, deceased; Martin J.; and Emma L., 
now Mrs. Hall of Hollister. 

Mr. and Mrs. Conrad have retired from 
their active farm life to a beautiful little 
home, such as Hollister is noted for, where 
they are esteemed for their kindness of heart 
and noble traits of character. 



fM. ARCHER, M. D., is not only an 
eminent physician and genial gentle- 
® man, but one of the landmarks of 
Monterey county, having resided here since 
1869. He has reached the age of forty-two, 
and came to California from Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, in 1868. He comes from a long line 
of colonial settlers, the first of whom made 
their homes in Maryland and Virginia. At 
a later date members of the family partici- 
cipated in the wars of the Revolution and 
lbl2, and in the early Indian wars, many of 
them miing important positions in tiie army 
and Government. Among Dr. Archer's an- 
cestors, is John Archer, of Maryland, who 
was the first man to graduate in medicine in 
the United States. He obtained his diploma 
from the Philadelphia Medical College in 
1768. 

The subject of this sketch received his 
lollege education at the Asbury (Indiana) 
University, and graduated in medicine, at 
Louisville. He then attended the clinics at 
the Bellevne and Blackwell Island hospitals, 



New York, for a considerable length of time. 
After arriving in San Francisco, as an advent- 
ure, and to see more of the world, he made 
a trip to Cliina, via Sandwich Islands and 
Japan, as surgeon of a vessel. The passage 
both ways was rough, dangerous and disa- 
greeable, and when the young medico got 
back to San Francisco he concluded that he 
had enough of " life on the ocean wave." 

He determined to locate in the country, 
contrary to the advice of Dr. H. H. Toland, 
the well-known physician of San Francisco, 
to whom he had letters of introduction from 
personal friends. In 1869 he went to 
Monterey county, intending to return to the 
city to locate permanently, in a few years, 
but he soon became a fixture in Monterey 
county, although he is often called to the 
city professionally. In 1872 he was ap- 
pointed County Physician of the county 
hospital, and has held that position ever since, 
during which time he has treated successfully 
more desperate cases of dropsy than any other 
physician in the State. He served one term 
as Coroner and Public Administrator, from 
1876 to 1878, but declined a renomination, 
and also declined the nomination for the As- 
sembly in 1886. Dr. Archer is married and 
has seven daughters. 

l^OBERT H. WILLEY, a member of the 
W^L Monterey county bar and resident of 
^^ Monterey city, is a native of the city of 
New York, having been born there, Nov- 
meber 18, 1852. His father, an English- 
man, was a surgeon of the English navy, and 
the son's birth was an incident of the parents 
visit to America and stay in New York city. 
Robert spent his boyhood and youth in 



AlfB SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



the county of Yorkshire, England, where he 
received his early education. When he was 
seventeen years of age lie visited this countrj' 
with his father, and coining to San Francisco 
entered into the study of law. He was ad- 
mitted to the bar of the State Supreme 
Court, in 1877, and commenced the practice 
of his profession in Napa city. In 1879 
he located at Monterey, where he has acquired 
the confidence of the public at large and en- 
joys a large and lucrative practice. 

His marriage occurred, in Napa city, to 
Miss Susie C. Racher, March 1, 1877. She 
is a daughter of A. G. Kacher, a resident 
merchant of San Diego, California. Mr. and 
Mrs. AVilley have three beautiful children, 
two sons and one daughter. 

Besides his other practice, Mr.Willey is the 
Attorney for the city of Monterey. These 
two young people are among the best of the 
society of the little city where they have the 
pleasure of residing, and are respected by 
their large circle of acquaintances. 



F. WALSH, one of the most pros- 
'9WWI perous and influential citizens of 
^^^^ Castroville, Monterey county, Cali- 
fornia, is a native of Ireland, where he was 
born forty-two years ago. In his youth the 
love of liberty was instilled into his mind. 
When the patriots of 1867 revolted against 
English oppression, he was one of the first 
to take up arms iu defense of his country's 
rights, though coraparitively a boy at that 
time. Being one of the " wild geese," he 
sailed for America the sauie year, and landed 
in Boston, Massachusetts, where he remained 
twelve months. 

Finding the climate of the East too severe 
he came to San Francisco and ei-gaged in the 



shoe business, in all of its branches. While 
there he took an active part in organizing 
some of the leading Irish societies of that 
city. In 1877 he came to Castroville, and 
becoming charmed with the tine climate and 
beautiful scenery, concluded to locate there 
permanently. 

Acting upon this resolution he sent for his 
family, bought him a little home, and has 
ever since had the best interest of the town 
and county at heart. He owns a large amount 
of real estate in the old and new towns, which 
he has carefully improved. His residence 
and beautiful grounds are an ornament to 
Castroville, and a credit to himself. He be- 
lieves implicitly in the town as the coming 
city of Monterey county, and works ever with 
that object in view. Besides his real-estate 
interests, he is an active and prosperous mer- 
chant of his town, and is well and favorably 
known throughout the Golden State. 

He has four bright children, attending the 
normal and home schools, who, with their 
mother, a most amiable daughter of the 
Emerald Isle, form a happy household. 

<•> 

miLLIAM H. STONE, the first settler 
in southern San Benito county, lo- 
cated at his present home, near Mul- 
berry, in the fall of 1857. He is a California 
pioneer of 1849, having come to the State, in 
that year from Boone county, Missouri. Upon 
arrival in the "Golden State," he mined 
nearly all of the time, until 1853, when he 
became sick and was obliged to return home. 
His second trip to the coast was made the 
following year, and he spent two years in the 
redwood lumber camps of Santa Cruz and 
Santa Clara counties. 

When he came to California he brought 




MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CUUZ, 



with him only his son, John, a child of a 
former marriage, as the mother had died iu 
Missouri. In 1867 he married in Hollister, 
Miss Hanna Thompson, a native of Putnam 
county, Ohio, daughter of Alfred Thompson, 
who came to California in 1849. She bore 
her husband three sons and two daughters, 
namely: Mary F., Edward F., Norman A.., 
James A. and Freeman. 

Mr. Stone is a native of Albermarle county, 
Virginia, having been born there in 1818. 
His father, John D. Stone, emigrated to 
Cumberland county, Tennessee, in 1820, 
where our subject spent his boyhood and 
youth. His mother, Elizabeth Moods, was 
likewise a native of Virginia. 

Mr. Stone has now about 1,100 acres of 
tilled land at Mulberry, and also a stock farm 
of about 2,000 acres upon which he ranges 
nearly 200 head of cattle and forty head of 
horses. In politics he is a life-long Repub- 
lican, a man of sound business judgment and 
has the respect and esteem of the citizens of 
San Benito county. 



fAVID SPENCE LITTLE, is a native 
of Monterey county, and the oldest son 
of the late Milton Little (see sketch). 
Our subject was born March 28, 1849. 
When he was sixteen years old he had the 
honor to be appointed naval cadet by the 
Senator, Cornelius Cole, now of Los Angeles, 
and Mr. Little spent three years at Aunap- 
olis, Maryland, when he resigned his position 
and returned to California. After his return 
he learned the joiner trade and pursued it 
about nine years, in San Francisco. He has 
pursued his chosen calling at various points 
in the State, and in 1887 settled in Monterey, 
his native home. 



Our subject married, October 28, 1878, 
Miss Uelela J., a daughter of John C. Cald- 
well, deceased, then a resident of Monterey. 
Mrs. Little is a native daughter of California 
and was born near Stockton. After marriage 
the young couple spent the major portion of 
the year from 1879 to 1880 in Oregon, but 
finally returned to their native State, where 
they have since remained, and where Mr. 
Little has successfully pursued his occupation. 
Mr. and Mrs. Little have four children, two 
sons and two daughters, namely: LoUie M., 
Henry P., Leia O and David C. 

fP. BERNHARDT, of Soledad, is a 
native of Denmark. He came to 
* America iu 1869, landing at New 
York, April 14. After acquiring the black- 
smith trade he left New York and went to 
southeastern Texas, where he remained until 
1875, when he came to California and after 
spending four months in Salinas he located 
in Soledad, where he has successfully pur- 
sued his trade. Here he has built up a good 
trade in the blacksmithing, wagon manufact- 
uring and repairs and is also engaged in ranch- 
ing. His marriage occurred in New York 
city, and he has a son, Roy, and a daugh- 
ter, Mary. Mr. Bernhardt is a Democrat in 
politics, but is not much of a seeker for pub- 
lic notoriety. He is greatly esteemed as a 
citizen. 

fEORGE CHALMERS, one of the well- 
known citizens of San Juan, came to 
California in 1850, from Boston, Mas- 
sachusetts. 

Our subject is a native of Fifeshire, Scot- 
land, but came, with his parents, in 1858 to 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



America. His father, William Clialiners, a 
farmer by occupation, and his mother, Isabel 
(Barker) Chalmers were both natives of Scot- 
land. Upon arrival in America Mr. Chal- 
mers, Sr., located in Orange county', Yer- 
mont, town of ISewbury, where he reared his 
family and there died. Of his eleven chil- 
dren, two are residents of California, our 
subject and a brother, Alexander, a resident 
of Watson ville. 

Our subject sailed from New York city to 
California, via the Isthmus of Panama, on 
the steamer " Georgia." After arrival at 
the Isthmus Mr. Chalmers spent six months 
at the town of Panama, working at his trade 
of mechanic. He there fitted up the first 
theater in the town, and also aided in the 
fitting out of a steamer. He then proceeded 
on his journey westward and landed in San 
Francisco in August, 1850. Like almost all 
of the emigrants of that day he went into 
the mines, choosing those of Calaveras county. 
Later he returned to San Francisco and 
worked at his trade. He then followed 
building and contracting in various portions 
of the State until 1856, when he located in 
San Benito county and engaged in stock- 
raising, continuing there until the winter of 
1863-'64. Daring the dry season of that 
year memorable to stockmen he suffered the 
loss of about 3,000 head of cattle. He then 
invested in the first steam threshing machine 
that came into San Benito county and likely 
the third in the State. Mr. Chalmers also 
engaged in the milling business at Castro- 
ville, building the Castroville mills, in 1865. 
This property he finally disposed of and 
located at San Juan, where he has since con- 
tinuously resided. 

Our subject was married, October 26, 
1856, to Mary S., a daughter of the late Ed- 
ward L. B. Smith, one of the first residents 



and a time-honored citizen of San Juan. 
(See sketch of his life in this work.) Of the 
eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Chal- 
mers, four are now living, namely: Lillie 
G., now Mrs. J. Cabera, of Fresno; Florence, 
wife of J. P. Mitchel, Esq., of Castroville; 
and Angle M., a single lady, a resident of 
San Jose. The fourth child, Leona Z., is 
still at home. 

Mr. Chalmers has led a very busy life 
and has born an honorable part in the 
material development of his chosen locality. 
He has served the local public several times 
as Justice of the Peace, and is at present a 
member of the Town Board of Trustees of 
San Juan. He is well-known throughout 
San Benito and Monterey counties as a man 
of strict integrity and upright principles. 



f JOSEPH C. BROWN, the subject of this 
I sketch, came to California by the Sunset 
route, via New Orleans, from Oxford, 
England, in the year 1883. His father, Jo- 
seph Brown, was born in Oxford, England, 
in the year 1820, and his mother, whose 
maiden name was Susan Palmer Bezant, was 
born in 1823 and died in 1877. They had a 
family of live children, all sons, Joseph C. 
being the fourth-born. The mother was a 
descendant of an old and distinguished fam- 

iiy- 

The subject of our sketch obtained his edu- 
cation principally in the public schools, and 
he is by trade a miller. He came to Kino- 
City a few years ago and was engaged as 
head miller in the Central Milling Com- 
pany's mills, at a salary of $120 per month. 
This position he still retains, his services be- 
ing regarded as \Qry efficient. He resides 
on his claim of 160 acres, located a few miles 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



from King City, in what is known as the 
Shearer school district. 

Mr. Brown was married in the year 1874, 
to Miss Eliza Jane Oaksford, by whom he 
has six children, three sons and three daugh- 
ters. 

1^^ A. GABLE has been a resident of 
IJ^I Soledad since 1873 and of California 
^^® since 1852, having come to this State 
from Iowa. 

Mr. Gable was born on the Little Mohawk 
river, in Washington county, Ohio, and when 
a small boy, moved with his parents to Iowa. 
His father. Solomon Gable, who was of Penn- 
sylvania birth and Holland Dutch ancestry, 
was by occupation a farmer. His death oc- 
curred in Iowa. The mother's maiden name 
was Elizabeth Holden. They had twelve 
children tiiat lived to maturity. 

Upon his arrival in California, the, subject 
of our sketch was engaj/ed in farming and 
stock-raising in Yolo county previous to his 
locating in Monterey county. He was mar- 
ried in February, 1865, in Tehama county, 
this State, to Miss Ida James, and they have 
eight children, namely: Maggie J., Harry S., 
Harvey E., Herbert A., Milton J., Earnest 
E., Daisy M. and Ida E. 



R. ELLIS. — Nowhere more than in 
the lives of the California pioneers 
* do we find the lights and shades of 
fortune and misfortune reflected in more 
varied hues. The subject of this sketch af- 
fords an excellent illustration of the truth of 
this statement. Briefly given, an outline of 
his life is as follows: 




W. K. Ellis was born in Rochester, Monroe 
county, New York, October 3, 1842, and is 
descended from a line of patriotic ancestors, 
some of them having fought on Revolution- 
ary battle- fields. His father, W. R. Ellis, a 
midshipman in the English navy, was killed 
in the Mexican war. And his mother was a 
direct descendant of Commodore Rogers of 
the American navy. She died in 1882, aged 
ninety-one years. 

In 1857, when a boy of thirteen years, Mr. 
Ellis ran away from his home in New York 
and went to sea. He visited every port of 
any note in the United States, and was at 
Liverpool three times. Returning to New 
York about the»time the Civil war came on, 
the patriotic spirit he had inherited from his 
ancestors was aroused, and he enlisted when 
the first call for volunteers was made, the 
date of his enlistment being May 7, 1861. 
As a member of Company C, New York Vol- 
unteers, he entered the conflict and heroically 
did he serve all through that sanguinary 
struggle. He was in many of the most im- 
portant battles of the war, among which were 
the battles of Bull Run, Gettysburg, Antie- 
tam, South Mountain and Fredericksburg. 
On the 22d of July, at the time General Mc- 
Pherson was killed, he was taken prisoner at 
Atlanta. Fourteen times he was wounded. 
He now receives a pension of |27 per month. 

Mr. Ellis received his education in the 
public schools of New York and Michigan. 
He came to California in 1868, making the 
journey by way of Arizona and with an ox 
team. After his arrival here he was var- 
iously employed. He helped to build the 
Union Pacific railroad, fought the Apaches 
in Arizona, etc. He came to this State with 
$27,000. Since then he has lost three for- 
tunes and has been a tramp and everything 
else except a thief and a rascal. He has 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



never held any office save that of Cit}' Mar- 
shal. He was for a time engaged in farming 
and stock-raising, but is now conducting a 
livery business in Salinas. 

Mr. Ellis was married July 3, 1888, to 
Mrs. Joanna Edwards, who died December 
1, 1890. Like her husband, she was de- 
scended from Revolutionary stock. Her 
brother fought through the late war and lost 
a leg in tliat conflict. 



fRANCIS DOUD, of Monterey, is a 
California pioneer of 1849, and one of 
the veteran soldiers of the Mexican 
war. 

He was born in Ireland, January 20, 1820. 
He left his native home at the age of sixteen 
years, and, after a brief visit with relatives 
in New York, joined the regular United 
States Army in 1838, to fight the ludians. 
He served the Government through the Sem- 
inole war in Florida, which lasted about four 
years, and is. one of the very few soldiers of 
that conflict who now survive. He contin- 
ued in the Government service, entering the 
Mexican war; was wounded at the siege of 
Vera Cruz, and a second time at Cerro Gordo, 
in consequence of which latter severe wounds 
he was honorably discharged in 1847, He 
distinguished himself at these battles, and 
for gallant and meritorious service there 
rendered he holds a bronze medal, made from 
tlie metal of brass field-pieces used at Vera 
Cruz. This medal was presented him by the 
Mexican Veteran Association, and bears the 
date of 1847. He has other memeritues of 
that historic conflict. 

After the close of the Mexican war he be- 
came a private citizen, and came, in 1849, to 
California, locating at Monterey, where he has 



since lived. He has been for several years 
engaged in the butchering business, conduct- 
ing a meat market in the town of Monte- 
rey. He has also engaged in stock-raising 
and farming. He owns valuable ranch 
property in the Salinas valley, and a stock 
range of about 5,000 acres lying along the 
seacoast south of Monterey. Mr. Doud 
has been the custodian of the Government 
property at Monterey, and looks after the 
Government's landed interests at this point. 
He was married at New York in 1845, and 
has six children, namely: Frank, Nellie, 
Mary, Thomas, Martin and Edward. Nellie 
is now Mrs. Pardee. Thomas was born June 
13, 1855, in Monterey, and on September 11, 
1889, was united in marriage with Miss 
Margaret E. Boland, a native of Connecticut. 
They have one daughter, Annie, born in 
Monterey, September 16, 1890. By occupa- 
tion, Thomas Doud is a butcher; Martin, 
also a native of Monterey, born November 
13, 1857, was married Juae 11, 1881, to 
Miss Mary Erliart. They have two children, 
Nettie and Eva. 



tM.^CHAMBRE.— There are few men, 
the story of whose life experiences, if 
® related in detail, would form a more 
interesting and thrilling narrative than that 
of R. M. Chambre, of Monterey. 

He is a native of Bombay, India, and the 
only son of an Englisli officer. His father, 
Meredith Chambre, was a native of England, 
but of French ancestry. He served as a Lieu- 
tenant of the English army; fought at the 
battle of Waterloo; and later, as an officer in 
her Majesty's service, went to India. There 
he met and married Miss Eliza Fisher, a lady 
of Irish birth and education, and a tutor and 



MONTE RET, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



governess in the family of the celebrated 
Major Kelly, a famous English officer. As 
a result of this union, R. M. Chambre was 
born in Bombay, India, May 24, 1849. The 
father finally retired from the army and iden- 
tified himself with a firm extensively en- 
gaged in the indigo trade, and returned to 
his native home. The latter years of his life 
were spent in Ireland, where he died in 1856. 

R. M. Chambre was educated at Rossell 
College, Lancastershire, England. He later, 
during the years 1866-'67, took a thorough 
course in music at Kneeler hall, Whitton, a 
suburb to the city of London, England. In 
1879 he joined the English army as a soldier 
and musician, and that and the following year 
(1880) he spent in South Africa; fought in 
the Zulu war, and witnessed the most hor- 
rilile slaughter of the larger number of his 
comrades. 

Mr. Chambre retired from the Englisii 
army in 1879. In 1881 he came to America. 
August 17, 1888, he joined the United States 
Army, and was commissioned Sergeant. He 
spent eight month at David's Island in New 
York Harbor, where he was assigned to the 
First United States Infantry, and filled the 
position of Drill Instructor. He came with his 
regiment to Angel Island in San Francisco 
Harbor, and was there appointed Band Ser- 
geant and Drum Major, and the following 
July was made principal musician of his 
band. After spending several montiis in the 
Sioux Indian campaign in South Dakota, he 
purchased his discharge, and relinquished 
army life. 

April 20, 1891, he married Mrs. Rosalie 
Schaufle, of Monterey, where he has perma- 
nently located, and is proprietor of the Pa- 
cific Ocean House, one of the best kept and 
most popular hotels on the coast. His final 
location at Monterey, has arroused a hitherto 



somewhat latent interest in local musical cir- 
cles, and as a result the Chambre's Monterey 
Orchestra has been organized. 

Mrs. Chambre is an old resident of Mon- 
terey, and is well known as a lady of many 
excellent qualities, marked executive ability 
and business energy. 

fANTIAGO J. DUCKWORTH was 
born in Monterey, June 13, 1865. At 
the age of six years he lost his father, 
and with his two older brothers was sent to 
the Watsonville Orphan Asylum, then in 
charge of the Franciscan Fathers, where he 
was educated, In 1883 he accepted the of- 
fice of chief operator in the Federal Tele- 
graph service of Mexico in the State of So- 
nora. This responsible position he filled for 
term of three years, when he resigned and 
returned to Monterey, where he established 
a real-estate and insurance business in com- 
pany with his brother, B. E. Duckworth. He 
is a prominent member of the Young Men's 
Institute, being District Deputy of Monterey 
county, and having represented Institute No. 
57, at the Grand Council held in Stockton, 
September, 1888. He belongs to an old fam- 
ily, and is a natural and talented orator; has 
taken an active part in political campaigns, 
addressing citizens in Monterey county. 

The father of our subject was named Wal- 
ter Duckworth, an Englishman by birth. He 
arrived in California, in 1829 and was a 
sailor by occupation. In 1832 he was one of 
the forty-five foreigners to resist the revo- 
lutionary movement of Eschendia against 
the legitimate authority of the Mexican Gov- 
ernment, in California, at Monterey. Mr. 
Duckworth followed varions occupations in 
Monterey, keeping a store and teaching 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



school at various points near Monterey. He 
lived in a house, not tar from the presidio 
walls, which was for years a favorite and 
quiet resort for sailors and officers of the 
presidio. Here they had their games, drank 
their wines. Walter Duckworth accompan- 
ied Douglas on a trip from Monterey to San 
Francisco, in 1841, and probably died soon 
after, in 1843. He was sometimes called 
Santiago and was at the head of local political 
affairs in Monterey, in 1835. He was a man 
of modest demeanor and was born about 
1804. He married, at Monterey, Miss An- 
tonio Armento, a daughter of Tio Armento, 
owaer of Point Pinos and a retired Mexican 
Boldier. Dr. Francis Rico says of Don Tio 
Armento that " he was a generous-hearted 
and brave man. He saved the life of the 
captain of the brig Natalia, which was 
wrecked in harbor, on her return voyage 
from the banishment of Napoleon, on the is- 
land of St. Helena. The brig went to pieces 
while lying at anchor of Monterey and Don 
Armento seeing the peril of her crew swam 
to the wreck, rescued the captain by bringing 
him safely to shore on his back ". The land 
that Don Armento owned included the pres- 
ent site of New Monterey. 

Our subject has proven himself worthy of 
the brave ancestors and is a true descendant 
of them. If either father or grandfather 
could see him now they would have no reason 
to feel anything but proud of the representa- 
tive who so honorably maintains the credit of 
the old and honored family of Duckworth. 



•^1 



B. NASH, one of the pioneers of Cali- 
fornia, came to the State, in 1853, 
* via the Isthmus of Panama, from the 
Pine Tree State, Maine. 



Mr. Nash was born in Columbia, Wash- 
ington county, Maine. March 3, 1834. His 
father, Jesse Lee Nash was a lumberman 
and shipbuilder, and of the four sons and 
two daughters born to him, our subject is 
the youngest. Upon coming to California 
our subject proceeded to the mines where he 
spent six months. He then went to Astoria, 
Oregon, and spent a year in the pine lumber- 
ing mills of that place, from which section 
he went to liedwood City. Mr. Nash then 
spent nine years in the lumber regions of 
San Matio and Sierra counties, after which he 
made a trip of about six months to the East- 
ern States. 

January 15, 1865, he married Miss Abbie 
W. Dorman, a dangiiter of L. Dorman, of 
Addison, Washington county, Maine. Her 
father was a ship-carpenter. In 1869 Mr. 
and Mrs. Nash settled on their present home 
of 112 acres, adjoining the city of Hollister, 
of which city Mr. Nash is a prominent and 
esteemed business man. Mr. and Mrs. Nash 
have six children, natnely: Warren G., born 
November 11, 1865, married Eliza M. Wood, 
November 13, 1889, at San Jose; Minnie 
A., born February 9, 1867, now Mrs. James 
A. Cushman of San Jose, married November 
28, 1889; Edward L., born August 19, 1868; 
Wilber D., born February 15, 1871 and died 
May 30, 1872; and two others. 



l^ATRICK BREEN, deceased.— This fam- 
l^p^ ily name is a most familiar one to the 
^k residents of Mouterpy and San Benito 
counties. It also has an honored place in 
the early annals of California's history. Pat- 
rick Ureen was born in Ireland. He came to 
America in 1828. He lived for a time and 
married in Upper Canada. In 1834 he re- 



436 



MOST E RET, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



moved to Iowa and located near Keokuk, 
where he engao;ed in farming, and where 
several of his children were born. In the 
spring of 1846 he decided to emigrate to 
California, and with his family, then con- 
sisting of his noble helpmate, Margaret, 
and John, Edward J., Patrick, Jr., Simon P., 
James F., Peter and one danghter, Isabella 
M., took up the journey and proceeded as 
far as Independence, Missouri. Here they 
joined the historic Donner party, a train 
made up of about 250 wagons, making one 
of the largest and best-equipped trains that 
ever left that frontier town for the overland 
trip to this coast. The party proceeded on 
their journey across the plains, was without 
notable happenings as far as Fort Bridger in 
the valley of Salt Lake. Eighty-seven of the 
party there determined to leave the estab- 
lished route over the Ilocky mountain range 
and took a more recently explored trail 
known as Hastings' cut-off, a portion of 
which lay through the Weber canon, which 
was thought to intersect the old road again 
on the Humboldt, making a cut-off of about 
300 miles. Patrick Breen and his family 
east their lot with this ill-fated party. The 
new route proved to be in poor condition, 
the journey slow and their ox teams became 
wearied and exhausted, and their stock of 
provisions ran low. They became appre- 
hensive of serious troubles and delays, which 
soon proved well founded. They pushed on 
under various difficulties. Hungry and foot- 
sore they felt compelled to take a few days' 
rest at the point where now stands the town 
of Reno, Nevada. During the four days' delay 
here storm clouds were seen to gather and 
the party resumed their journey. The storm 
came, and on October 28, 1846, they found 
tliemselves about three miles below Truckee, 
on Prosser creek, in about six inches of snow. 



They were dismayed, but faltered not. and in 
a somewhat disorganized condition they 
readied Donner lake. All attempts to make 
further progress were baffled by the storm 
and camp was struck at this point. The 
storm raged in relentless fury for days; three 
ox teams were frozen and other stock were 
buried beneath the snow and frozen to death. 
The details of the starvation and suffering that 
this party endured during their long, tedious 
and cold weeks of confinement beggars de- 
scription. 

The Breen family found and occupied a 
rude cabin standiug about one-fourth mile 
distant from the lake, which they occupied. 
The Murphys built another about 300 yards 
distant, and the Groves family built theirs 
near Donner creek and about 150 yards dis- 
tant from the lake, and the Donners con- 
structed a brush shed in Alder Creek valley, 
seven miles from the lake. 

About six weeks passed in these terrible 
prisons, when a party of five women, eight 
white men and two Indians started out on 
snows-lioes over the mountains to obtain a 
relief if possible. Of this party one only 
succeeded in reaching Johnson's ranch on 
Bear river, and this on his thirty-second day 
after leaving Donner lake. The others, save 
four, who were rescued a day or two later, 
perished on the way. 

From Johnson's ranch the story of distress 
flew swiftly down the Sacramento valley and 
Captain Sutter fitted out a relief train of men 
with mules and provisions. San Francisco 
city raised a fund of $1,500 and fitted out a 
second expedition, and the naval commander 
of the port of San Francisco started out a 
third. It was this last party that, late in 
April, 1847, found and rescued the Breen 
and Graves families from the clutches of 
death by starvation in an icy prison of a full 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



six raontlis' confinement. One John Stark, 
a brave, true-hearted anil coiiscieutioiis man, 
stood firm for a complete rescue against 
the judgment of a possibility of two other 
members of the rescuing party of three. John 
Stark piloted this famished party out of 
danger, carrying all the provisions, blankets 
and utensils on his back and at times one or 
two of the weaker children. The names of 
this company were Patrick and Margaret 
Breen, John Breen, Patrick Breen, Jr., James 
F. Breen, Peter Breen, Isabella M. Breen, 
Nancy Graves and Mary Donner. Stark was 
a man of great physical power and endurance: 
he also had a stout heart and an abiding sense 
of duty. Thus he was the only one of this 
rescuing party who had the bravery to un- 
dertake the great task of taking this cold 
and starving company out of their bondage. 
The others of the rescuing party strongly 
favored taking a portion of the party first 
and leaving the Breens for another expedi- 
tion, which meant certain death to all who 
were to be left. All finally arrived at Sut- 
ter's Fort in safety, however, James F. Breen 
having had his feet badly frozen. 

Patrick Breen lived at Sutter's Fort from 
March until September, 1847, and at San 
Jose until February, 1848, when he located 
with his family at San Juan, where he reared 
his family, took an active and honorable part 
in local affairs. He died at his home in 
1868, and Margaret, the widow, who was a 
woman of great force of character and Chris- 
tian fortitude, died in 1874. Portraits of 
these esteemed pioneers appear in " Mc- 
Glashan's Donner Party." The Breen fam- 
ily in San Benito is honored and influential. 
John Breen, the oldest of the children of 
Patrick and Margaret Breen, is a resident of 
San Juan, a prosperous farmer and stock- 
raiser. He was born in Upper Canada, Feb- 



ruary 21, 1832. In June, 1848, he, in com- 
pany with James Enright, of San Jose, 
engaged in placer mining at Mormon island 
on the south fork of the American river. 
He spent the fall and winter of 1848-'49 at 
Hangtown, now Placerville, in El Dorado 
county. He there witnessed the lynching of 
three men, the first occurrence of the kind 
in the mines, which affair gave the raining 
town its early-day name. 

In March, 1849, he returned to San Juan, 
where he has, for the greater part of the time, 
since lived. He married at Monterey, in 
October, 1852, Miss Leah Margaret Smith, 
who came with her parents across the plains 
in 1848, froui Illinois. A sketch of her fa- 
ther. Judge E. Smith, who was the first 
Postmaster at San Juan and held other local 
otfices, appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. 
and Mrs. John Breen have eight children. 

In 1860 Mr. Breen held the ofiice of " Su- 
pervisor at Large " of Monterey county be- 
fore its segregation, when each supervisor 
district had a representative on the County 
Board, and one at large was elected, and 
as such was ex-officio Chairman of the 
Board. He has for thirty years continuously 
served on the Board of School Trustees of 
San Juan district. He has cast his vote at 
every general election in San Juan since he 
was twenty-one years of age. He voted the 
Democratic ticket until Lincoln's second can- 
didacy for the presidency, since which time 
he has voted with the Republican party. He 
was elected to a seat on the Board of Super- 
visors ot San Benito couuty at the last elec- 
tion (1892). John Breen is a man of broad 
intelligence, practical sense and good judg- 
ment. Bancroft mentions his " Pioneer Mem- 
oirs," of eighty manuscript pages, as among 
the most valued in his extensive collection 
Edward J. Breen, deceased, the second old- 



428 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRVZ, 



est of the family, was known throughout 
Monterey and San Benito counties as an en- 
ergetic and successful business man. 

He was born in Upper Canada, September 
3, 1833, and was consequently thirteen years 
of age when the family came to the coast. 
He spent his youth in the valleys and the 
mountains of Monterey and San Benito coun- 
ties, where he gained a practical knowledge 
of stock-raising. His industry, frugality and 
aptness for business were potent factors in 
his early success, and in due time found him 
in possession of bands of sheep and cattle of 
his own on the open ranges. 

He married Kate Sullivan, in 1856; she 
survived only until 1862, leaving him three 
sons. Mr. Breen was married again October 
25, 1881, to Mary J., a daughter of Patrick 
and Mary Burns, pioneers of San Francisco, 
where Mrs. Breen was born. Mr. Breen was 
an active, thoroughgoing business man. He 
was generous and open-hearted, and very so- 
cial in his nature, consequently widely known 
and had an army of followers who were 
proud to claim him as a personal friend. 

By his last marriage there are three sons, 
William A., James Edwin and Henry J. He 
died August 3, 1890, leaving a valuable es- 
tate and an honorable name to the widow and 
his sons. The family home, one of the 
most substantial in San Benito county, is lo- 
cated at San Juan. 

Patrick Breen, the third son of Patrick 
and Margaret Breen, was born at Keokuk, 
Iowa, March 12, 1837, and came overland 
with the family, as heretofore stated, and suf- 
fered with them the excruciating mental and 
physical torture that fell to the lot of the 
Donner party. He was then ten years of 
age and has spent his youth and early man- 
hood in San Benito county. He early took 



up farming and has continuously pursued the 
same. 

In 1868 he married Miss Amelia Ander- 
son, a native of Australia, a lady of domestic 
tastes and social culture. They reside in the 
city of Hollister. Mr. Breen's farm, con- 
sisting of several hundred acres of the choic- 
est soil of the San Juan valley. Like all others 
of this pioneer family he is esteemed for his 
sterling traits of character. 

Hon. James F. Breen, Superior Judge of 
San Benito county, is one of the most earnest 
men in law and literature in the State. He 
was born at Keokuk, Iowa, January 21, 1841, 
coming overland to California with his par- 
ents in 1846, as before stated ; he was a small 
boy when they located at San Juan, where 
he grew up and received the rudiments of his 
education. In 1857 he entered Santa Clara 
College, graduating in 1861. He then en- 
tered the law office of Clark & Carpentier, in 
San Francisco, and in 1862 was admitted to 
practice in the Supreme Court. He then re- 
turned to San Juan and engaged in the prac- 
tice of his profession. In 1864 he was 
elected District Attorney of Monterey county, 
and was re-elected in 1866. In 1870 he was 
elected Judge of Monterey county, which 
position he held till 1874, when San Benito 
county was carved from Monterey, when he 
resigned to cast his lot with the county which 
included his home, San Juan. He was ap- 
pointed Judge of the new county by Gov- 
ernor Booth, but at the end of his term of 
office, declined re-election, and resumed the 
practice of law in Hollister. In 1877 he was 
elected Assemblyman, and while represent- 
ing this county, served on the Judiciary, 
Public Lands and Labor Investigation Com- 
mittees of the House. 

In 1879, after the adoption of the " New 
Constitution," Judge Breen was almost 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



nnaiiiinously elected Superior Judge, there 
being but thirteen votes cast against him. 
He was re-elected in 1884. and again in 1890, 
which position he now (1892) holds. 

Jndge Breeu is a Republican in politics, a 
student of the law, an impartial and able 
jurist and with all a popular citizen. He is 
married and has for years resided in Hollister. 

Isabella Breen, the only daughter of Pat- 
rick and Margaret Breen, married Thomas 
McMahon, Esq., a well-known citizen of 
Hollister. 

Peter Breeu, a member of this family, died, 
and the writer believes, next younger than 
James F., arrived safely in California. He 
died single in 1870. 

Simon P. Breen, Bancroft mentions as be- 
ing the next younger than Patrick, Jr., or 
the fourth born. The writer is lacking data 
oonceruincr him. 



fAMES L. MYLAR, one of the early 
pioneers of California, came to this 
State in 1850, from Gentry county, 
Missouri, although he was born in Madison 
county, Missouri, April 17, 1825, a son of 
James and Henrietta (Jette) Mylar, natives 
of South Carolina and Virginia, respectively. 
They were pioneers of Missouri, having lo- 
cated in Gentry county, about seven miles 
from Athens, the county seat. Twelve 
children were born to them, nine of whom 
lived to maturity, namely: Polly, Richard, 
Jnlia, Enoch, Frank, Israel, James L., Isaac 
and Thomas. Mention may be found of Is- 
rael and Enoch on another page of this vol- 
ume, by reference to the index. 

Upon coming to California Mr. Mylar 
spent about six years in the mines of Placer, 
Toulumne and Mariposa counties, meeting 



with average success in both quartz and 
placer diggings. In 1868 he left Mariposa 
county and located in San Juan, where he 
engaged in farming and stock-raising and 
here he still resides. 

Mr. Mylar married Miss Mary A. Neal, 
the accomplished daughter of William Neal, 
on November 27, 1848. William Neal was 
a farmer and stock-raiser. Mr. and Mrs. 
Mylar have six living children, namely: 
William, who died when an infant; James 
L., born January 6, 1851, died 1868; Julia 
A., who died at the age of fifteen; John died 
when nine years of age; Dicie J., born 
August 21, 1856; Emma, wife of William 
Shaw, born March 29, 1859; Mary, born 
May 1, 1861; Carrie, wife of George Mc 
Iiityre, of Salinas, born November 7, 1863; 
Fred J., born March 2, 1866; and Frank, 
born January 13, 1870. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mylar have six grand-chil- 
dren of whom they are very proud. The 
Mylar home in San Juan canon is one of the 
most picturesque and retired spots anywhere 
in the vicinity of the historic old town of 
San Juan. Mr. and Mrs. Mylar are estima- 
ble people and the family command the re- 
spect of the community in which they have 
lived for so many years. 



tUIS RAGGIO.— The subject of this 
sketch was born in Italy, seventy-two 
years ago; but in spite of a life of great 
activity he is still well reserved and as capa- 
ble of work as most men of fifty. His fa- 
ther was a large farmer in his native land, 
but at the age of twenty-one young Luis ac- 
quired a longing for life in America and 
came to New Orleans, where he remained 
for five years, during most of which time he 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



acted as pilot on the Mississippi river. 
From that city be caiue to San Diego, Cali- 
fornia, via Mexico, and from there went to 
San Francisco, where he remained one win- 
ter; thence returned down to the coast to 
Monterey, where he engaged in lumbering, 
and owned and operated a primitive whip 
sawmill, on the Polero, and later the San 
Francisquito ranch. He furnished the lum- 
ber for the old Washington Hotel and also 
the old Pacific hotel, at Monterey, two relics 
of the by-gone prosperous days of old Mon- 
terey. Such lumber as he was able to pro- 
duce at that time sold for |340 per M. 

In 1849 he went to San Luis Obispo, 
opened a general merchandise store and 
operated it successfully. In 1853 he ob- 
tained a contract from the United States to 
supply the Indians and the army at Fort 
Miller, at the head of the San Joaquin river. 
When the garrison moved to Washington 
Territory, Mr. Kaggio went to Visalia, where 
he built and conducted the Eagle Hotel. 
After three years he moved to San Luis 
Obispo, on account of sickness, and there he 
engaged in farming and stock raising. In 
the dry year of 186.3-'64 he moved to San 
Juan, where he has ever since remained and 
has held an iniiuential position in the com- 
munity. 

At first he was engaged in the butchering 
business, but now is the owner of 1,200 acres 
of fine land near San Juan, which is devoted 
principally to the raising of cattle. In San 
Luis Obispo he was appointed the first Jus- 
tice of the Peace and was also Associate Jus- 
tice in the District Court of that county. 
He is an accomplished linguist, speaking 
fluently French, Spanish, English, Portu- 
guese and Italian. He was elected in 1890, 
to the office of Supervisor in the important 
district of San Juan; has faithfully attended 



to the duties of the office intrusted to him 
and still retains that oflice, in 1892. 

Our suliject married Marie Einisa, whose 
father was a native of Spain, by this lady he 
has six living children, four sons and two 
daughters. 

— >^>^ It < ; . ^i ,i>...>— — 

fW. THOLCKE.— Mr. Tholcke is a fa- 
miliar figure on the streets of Salinas. 
* This gentleman came to the Golden 
State in 1873. He is a native of Germany, 
and came to America, when about nineteen 
years old. Lauding at New York city he 
remained in the East about three years, dur- 
ing which time he traveled in the United 
States and British Columbia. In 1874 he 
came to Salinas valley, where he spent a few 
months on a ranch and then assumed the man- 
agement of the Gabilan House, on the creek 
of tlie same name, between Salinas and San 
Juan. Here he remained about six years and 
then came to Salinas, where he has since re- 
mained. Mr. Tholcke is now the owner of 
one of the most popular wine rooms in the 
city. 

In 1880 Mr. Tholcke married in Salinas 
Miss Henrietta Markman, who bore him seven 
children, namely: Neta, Minnie, Frederick, 
Grover C, Etta and John. In politics Mr. 
Tholcke is an influential Democrat and a 
member of the local City Council. 

fH. MENKE, one of the most prosper- 
ous business men of Salinas, has been 
® a resident of the State of California 
since 1869. He is a native of Hanover. 
Germany, and came to America in 1865. 
His first stopping place was New York city, 
where he worked for two years in a ship- 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



chandlery store, but in 1869 he made his 
way to San Francisco, where he engaged in 
work in a grocery store. Later he removed 
to Santa Cruz, where he remained until 1874, 
when he purchased an interest in the brewing 
business of Messrs. Louis & Wagner. Li 
1877 he bought out Mr. Wagner, and in 
1891 he erected a spacious and complete 
brewery, 50x112 feet in size, three stories in 
height, with a capacity of about twenty-iive 
barrels per day. He ships the product of the 
Salinas brewery to adjoining towns, besides 
supplying a large local demand. 

Mr. Menke married Emma Tholcke, of Sa- 
linas, in 1879, and they have six children, 
namely: William, Leta, Emma, Henry, Maria 
and Carl. Mr. Menke is serving his second 
term on the City Board of Trustees; is a 
popular officer and an enteipaising and suc- 
cessful business man. 



fANIEL M. McCarthy, of Holllster, 
California, is a native of Saratoga, 
Santa Clara county, this State, born 
March 20, 1860. In 1874 he came to Hol- 
lister, and for eight months attended school 
here. After that he went to San Jose and 
learned the gas-fitting and plumbing busi- 
ness, at which he worked three years. The 
following year he was engaged in ranching 
there. He then worked in the paper mills 
at Saratoga, and again farmed. From 1879 
to 1888 he conducted a winery and raised 
grapes, etc., at Hollister. He then rented 
his winery and ranch and engaged in the ex- 
press business, being agent for Wells, Fargo 
& Co. In 1890 he was elected Coroner of 
the county. While in Santa Clara county, he 
served as Deputy Sheriff and Constable. 
In June, 1888, Mr. McCarthy was united 



in marriage to Miss Mary L. Marsh, in his 
native town, they being the first native son 
and daughter to marry at that place. 

Mr. McCarthy's father, now deceased, was a 
Mexican war veteran. His mother is still 
living. 

—■■ ^«^«^>~- 

1g»,0N. E. C. TULLY.— This well-known 
IH) pioneer of San Benito county is known 
■^(f throughout the State as a reliable, honest 
citizen. He came to California from Chi 
hiiahua, Mexico, in 1853, via Los Angeles. 

Mr. Tully is a native of Tennessee, and was 
born on the banks of the Mississippi i-iver, 
April 16, 1826. His father, L. B. Tully, 
was an Attorney at law, a Virginian by birth 
and his mother, Sarah ClafSn, a native of 
Tennessee. Mr. Tully spent spent his boy- 
hood on a farm in Arkansas, but when only 
sixteen he started in life for himself. He 
spent several years in the western interior, 
joined the United States Army as an inde- 
pendent volunteer in 1847, at Santa Fe, New 
Mexico, and fought until the close of the 
Mexican war. He then engaged in mer- 
chandising at Chihuahua until 1853, when 
he sold the business, invested his capital in 
sheep and with a partner drove a herd of 
20,000 sheep to California. Tiiese they sold, 
and from 1856 to 1861 engaged in stock- 
raising. In the latter year he located on his 
present ranch and for several years was the 
only settler in Bitter Water valley, his nearest 
trading post and post office being Gilroy, 
sixty-five miles distant. 

Mr. Tully is a self-made man, never having 
had but eight months of common schooling, 
but ranks among his associates as a " many- 
sided " and most thoroughly educated person. 
In addition to his complete mastery of the 
English language and all its branches of 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



literature, he reads, writes and speaks fluently 
the French and Spanish languages, reads and 
writes the Italian and Portuguese, and has 
some knowledge of German and Latin. 

Mr. Tully was married, in Chihuahua, 
Mexico, in 1849, to Miss Maria Gaudalupe 
Quintanar, and thej have had eleven children: 
Louis B., Edward A., Frank P., Richard R., 
James B., JohnC, Lucrecia, Sarah E., General 
Lee, George W. and Henry C, the last four 
but one being deceased. The Tuily family 
tie is a strong one. The estate is owned and 
managed in common, and the family live 
almost as one. Their musical instinct is 
very great and the Bitter Water brass band, 
of several pieces and a full " string band " are 
almost entirely composed of members of the 
Tully family. 

Mr. Tully is well read in legal matters, and 
is now the People's candidate for Disti-ict 
Attorney of San Benito county. He is a 
licensed, but not now a practicing attorney, 
preferring his present farmer life. He has, 
on several occasions, declined nominations 
for Congress from his State, but has served 
his Assembly district in the Legislature of 
1857-'58, 1868-'69, 1872-'73 and 1887^^88, 
and as a Legislator he has made an able officer. 
He is a clear, forcible reasoner; is logical, 
and, at times, even eloquent. He has left a 
clean record in his public career, and his pres- 
ent comparative poverty fully attests his 
honesty and integrity, whicli has never been 
questioned. 

We quote entire the following extract from 
a biographical sketch, written by a long-life 
friend of Mr. Tully: " His life has been one 
of many interesting adventures, one of which, 
as illustrating the character of the man, or 
rather boy, was the leading of a party of four 
from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Independence 
in the midwinter of 1846-'47, over the then 



desert of 1,100 miles of unbroken, snow- 
covered plains, without the loss of a man, — 
a feat that, it is believed, had never before 
been successfully accomplished by a white 
man. Another was the 'piloting' of a 
' prairie schooner,' as the huge Santa Fe 
traders' wagons were called, with six yoke of 
Missouri oxen attached, from Independence, 
Missouri, to the city of Chihuahua, Mexico, 
in 1847-48, a distance of about 1,700 miles. 
And later, the driving of a herd of 20,000 
head of sheep from the interior of Mexico 
overland to San Francisco, California, in 1853, 
2,500 miles, through a country teaming with 
hostile Indians. 

"Mr. Tully belongs to the ' Old School ' of 
gentlemen (now fast becoming extinct), the 
' Southern type,' inheriting as he did from 
his father those ideas of social life and un- 
bounded hospitality common to the ' Old 
Virginia gentleman.' He has always kept 
'open house,' and is known far and wide 
for his genial hospitality; in his own words, 
' the latch string always hangs on the out- 
side.' As may readily be inferred, his 
varied experience and adventures in life, and 
especially, in the ' woolly West,' have furn- 
ished him with an almost inexhaustible 
store of anecdote and story, which make him a 
genial and interesting companion and a good 
conversationalist. Always ' at home,' what- 
ever the place or occasion, whether to respond 
to a toast, make an impromptu stump speech, 
or pull an unfortunate out of a mudhole; 
frank and open handed; always ready and 
willing to help the distressed. It need 
scarcely be necessary to add that he is not a 
' bloated bondholder ' or millionaire, yet he 
has always contrived to ' keep the wolf from 
the door,' and is at present in ' good circum- 
stances,' with a reasonable guarantee that his 
old age will be comparatively free from dan- 





r^l. ^^r^)/^l^ 



^ 



AND SAN MATEO G0UNTIE3. 



433 



ger of want. His time is spent mostly on 
his ranch in company with bis family, who 
are mostly settled down around him ; occupied 
in making or repairing wagons and other 
farm machinery, — for he is 'a jack of all 
trades,' — and writing occasional articles for 
the press, on poll Heal and social economics, 
many of which have been extensively copied 
throughout the land. 

"Mr. Tully was ' born a Democrat ' and 
lived a Democrat until the late campaign, 
when he joined the F. A. & T. U. and became 
a ' Populist,' dedicating himself to the cause 
of » the class with which his lines in life have 
been cast' (to use his own words) the ' labor- 
ing and producing class.' He was a dele- 
gate to the late ' Supreme Council ' of the 
F. A. & T. U. from California; is Deputy 
State Organizer and Lecturer for his State; 
and expects to make a vigorous canvass, in the 
interest of the order for the next campaign. 
Such, in brief, is the man whose biography 
we have presented in these pages." 



flJAN B. CASTRO.— It is safe to eay 
that no citizen of Monterey county is 
more widely or favorably known through- 
out the central coast counties, than Don Juan 
Bautista Castro. His family name has been 
a conspicuous one in the annals of old Span- 
ish history and the Spanish-American history 
of the last two centuries. He is a native of 
the old city of Monterey, California, and was 
born June 24 (St. John's day), 1836, and was 
the son of Hon. Simeon de Castro, deceased, 
the tirst Alcalde of Monterey, later Judge of 
the First Instance, and one of the wealthiest 
men of his day and a most distinguished 
tigure in California's civil and political life. 
The mother of our subject was Maria Antonia 



Pico de Castro, a sister of Governor Pico, 
likewise a distinguished family. Juan B. in- 
herited many of the excellent traits of his 
father's character, a warm, loyal heart, a most 
amiable and social nature, and a laudable busi- 
ness ambition. He received his early school- 
ing in Monterey. His father died in 1842, 
leaving a large landed estate, and at the age 
of twenty-one he assumed the business con- 
trol of this property, embracing about eight 
leagues of land in Monterey county. He 
was one of the first Californians to discern 
and concede the necessity of dividing up and 
settling the old land grants of California, if 
they would have the State develop in popula- 
tion and wealth. He demonstrated his faith 
in this theory by subdividing a portion of the 
Castro estate and selling it off to actual set- 
tlers, or leasing to those who were unable to 
buy. Also, in December, 1863, he platted 
and laid the foundation of the present little 
thrifty city of Castroville. In 1868 he sub- 
divided the ranchos Balsa Nueva and Moro 
Cojo, a total of 39,000 acres. 

The city of Castroville, which he founded, 
grew rapidly and did a large business until 
the coming of the Southern Pacific railroad, 
whereupon a share of the business was di- 
rected to other points on this line. In Decem- 
ber of that same year he founded the Castro- 
ville Argus, which for a period flourished as 
one of the most influential newspapers of the 
State. There is scarcely a public enterprise 
of merit that Mr. Castro has not promptly 
identified himself with and become a chief sup- 
porter of the same. He has always been a con- 
spicuous figure in local politics, and is a 
loyal, ardent Democrat. Mr. Castro has 
never failed to do his utmost to promote the 
success of his party in every contest. He 
has willingly expended thousands of dollars 
to maintain Democratic organization in this 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SA.\TA CRUZ, 



county, wl>en it was uphill business. He has 
always befriended the poor man, often to his 
own detriment, and has always encouraged 
American labor by employing it at good 
wages. 

In 1871 our subject was made the nominee 
for State Treasurer of California, and received 
a flattering vote, his party being in the minor- 
ity. Touching his candidacy, we make the 
following clipping from the Stockton Daily 
Leader, whicii is in touch with many other 
articles upon the subject that appeared in 
many other leading State journals: "The 
State Treasurer is made by law the custodian 
of the public moneys, hence in the choice of 
a candidate for that oiflce the people ought to 
be vigilant and prudent. Hon. J. B. Castro, 
of Castroville, is announced as a candidate for 
the office of State Treasurer. He is a brother 
of the late Governor Castro, of lower Cali- 
fornia, and also of Don Manuel Castro, a 
respected citizen of San Francisco, and a 
member of a family honorably identified with 
the history of the State. He has filled the 
office of Treasurer of Monterey county for 
several terms, and discharged its duties in 
such a manner as to win the approbation of 
all parties. We can say with truth that the 
people of Monterey and adjoining counties 
honor Mr. Castro and would give him a 
nearly imanimous vote for the office of State 
Treasurer. There is one other reason why 
his nomination would be most gratifying, 
and that is because he is a native Californian. 
That gallant people ought to have at least 
one representative upon every ticket placed 
in the iield, and the political party that 
ignores the native Californian may count 
upon inevitable disaster and utter overthrow. 
The Americans, who have professed such 
ardent friendship for the natives of our 
favored State, must remember that they are 



to-day, as ever, alert, vigilant and powerful, 
and that it is their boast and pride that they 
never turned their back on a friend nor an 
enemy." 

Our subject was offered the nomination for 
the same office later on, but he declined. He 
has twice held the office of Treasurer of 
Monterey county, and several times has been 
Supervisor of the First District. 

Mr. Castro was married in 1868, to Miss 
Catalina, a daughter of the late Louis Pom- 
bert, a California pioneer, further mention of 
whom appears in this volume in the sketch 
of Juan Pombert, Esq. Mr. and Mrs. Cas- 
tro have three sons and four daughters, 
namely: Juan B., Jr., Elijah, Jose, Louis, 
Lucy, Felicia and Maria, and three who died 
in infancy. 

Mr. Castro's interests, landed and other- 
wise, are extensive, and his circle of friends 
large throughout the State. 

General Castro, brother of our subject, 
now deceased, was a remarkable man, and 
passed through a career at once brilliant and 
varied. In his death, not only his relatives 
and immediate friends mourned, but accord- 
ing to Spanish history all Christeudon should 
have wept, for he was, without doubt, a lineal 
descendant of the General Castro who e.x- 
pelled the Moors from Spain. The death of 
this distinguished gentleman occurred April, 
1891, at the residence of his brother, Juan 
B. Castro. 

From the Castroville Enterprise, May 1, 
1891, we add the following paragraphs: 

GENERAL CASTRO's DEATH AN OLD HERO AND 

EARLY PIONEER PASSES AWAY. 

The woodman goes through the forest and 
at night time many a tree has fallen; he 
comes again, and other trees fall, but we do 



AJ^J) SAir MATEO COUNTIES. 



not note his progress until some special 
favorite of ours, or a grand old monarch of 
the forest is taken from us; then we grieve 
and mourn over the ruthless work of the 
woodman's ax. 

Last Saturday night, at 3 a. m., General 
Manuel Castro, a man with an individuality 
and character that marked him as a monarch 
oak in the forest of life, was cut down by 
Death's sharp battle-ax. Here was a special 
favorite, a man who had played many im- 
portant parts in the history of California 
under the old Spanish regime, and his death 
will be a matter of regret to many of the 
early pioneers who knew him and loved him 
for his goodness of heart and head. 

General Castro had been lying dangerously 
ill for some time at the residence of his 
brother, Juan B., of this place, and though 
his death seemed sudden, as death always 
does, still it was not unexpected. The de- 
ceased was a native of Monterey county, and 
his life seems intimately connected and 
woven in with the history of the same. 
Strong and stanch, and ever ready to ad- 
vance the best interests of those around him, 
Monterey county and (California generally 
will cherish the memory of him who helped 
to mold and make her early history. 

In his last hours of suft'ering he had the 
kind attention of his brother. Supervisor 
J. B. Castro and wife, Mrs. C. Bomber de 
Castro, and her two nieces. Misses Rufina 
and Rosa Bomber, daughters of the late Jose 
Manuel Bomber. One striking coincidence 
is that General Castro was sponsor for the 
late Bomber, father of the young ladies who 
were among his last attendants, and who 
ever waited upon him day and night. 

The funeral services were held at 3 o'clock 
on Sunday. Many friends of the deceased 
from Monterey, Watsonville and Salinas were 



present to pay their last sad tribute to the 
dead. 

We are indebted to E. B. Kelley, who had 
the pleasure of being a personal warm friend 
of the deceased, for the following interesting 
account of his life: 

General Castro was a remarkable man, and 
passed through a career at once brilliant and 
varied. Born at the old presidio of Monte- 
rey (where the present Catholic church 
stands) on Christmas day, 1821, he was 
ushered into Mexican rule at the beginning 
of her independence from Spain, and was 
destined to play an important role in the 
country's government. Mexico then included 
all the territory from the gulf of Mexico 
west to the Bacilic ocean, and north to the 
northern boundary of California. 

His father was the late Simeon de Castro, 
the first Alcalde of Monterey, and one of 
the wealthiest and most prominent men in 
California, afterward holding the office of 
Judge and other offices of honor and trust. 
The mother was Maria Antonia Bico de Cas- 
tro, a sister of Governor Bico. Backed by a 
parentage so distinguished and wealthy, he 
was given every opportunity that wealth and 
influence could bring to him. Being naturally 
ambitious and possessing great native ability, 
he improved all advantages. In 1839, at the 
early age of eighteen years, he was Secretary 
and Collector of the port of Monterey, and 
three years later, in 1842-'43, was Secretary 
to the Brefect of Monterey. He was the 
prime mover in the revolt against Michelto- 
rena. Governor of Alta California, and took 
an active part throughout the troubles of 

1844 and 1845. He was once captured and 
exchanged, and was finally commissioned to 
make a treaty. Under the administration of 

1845 he was made Brefect of Monterey dis- 
trict and Lieutenant of the Monterey com- 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRVZ, 



panj. He was little less distinguished Id 
civil affairs, and was the warm supporter of 
Governor Pico, against General Jose Castro. 
In 1846 he was promoted as Captain of the 
Santa Barbara company, and received a grant 
of eleven leagues of land, the celebrated 
Laguna Detache, but continued his services 
as Prefect. 

In the war with the United States for the 
conquest of California, he was the most 
prominent figure on the Mexican side, and 
fonght General John C. Fremont's army to 
the last. He was a patriot and fought in de- 
fense of his government and its citizens. 
His trouble with General Cambuston is too 
well known to review at this time. He was 
sent south in July, 1846, as comisionado 
to effect a reconciliation between his cousin, 
General Jose Castro, and Governor Pico, who 
was his uncle. On the departure of General 
Jose Castro, he was elected to command at 
Los Angeles. 

General Castro would never admit that he 
was, and it is not known whether he was, one 
of the officers captured and paroled by Stock- 
ton's men. On the outbreak of the Flores 
revolt, he was put in command of the north- 
ern division, and commanded during the en- 
tire Natividad campaign. After the war he 
fled to Mexico with Flores, where he con- 
tinned in the military service several years. 
He was violently opposed to the treaty of 
peace, and for his opposition was, together 
with several other generals, arrested by the 
Santa Ana faction, but was released and ap- 
pointed to command in Lower California. 
He afterward yielded the command to Gen- 
eral Xegrete, and veuturing to San Francisco 
in 1854, has since resided the greater part of 
his time in California. To the moment of 
his death he remained loyal to his country, 
and never became an American citizen, pre- 



ferring to spend the remainder of his life 
true to the sentiments and principles for 
which he had staked his life and fortunes. 
One thing noticeable in his character, how- 
ever, was the interest he manifested in the 
growth and prosperity of his native State — 
California. The American people, appre- 
ciating the patriotic desires of the General, 
joined Mexico in pronouncing his conduct 
brave, heroic and patriotic. Indeed, all who 
knew his kind, gentle manners, could only 
the more admire his devotion to his lost 
cause. 

During the Maximilian war he aided in 
raising troops, arras and money to fight Maxi- 
milian, and, together with Generals Hocho 
and Pega, accomplished much in that direc- 
tion. 

For the distinguished services rendered by 
him to the Government, General Diaz, Presi- 
dent of Mexico, tendered the appointment of 
colonel and brevet-general in the regular 
army, with full pay, or offered him the choice 
of going on the retired list of the army, with 
half pay, and in addition a patent to twenty 
square leagues of land, on condition that lie 
would reside upon Mexican territory. To 
this condition he would never accede, and de- 
clined the offer made him. 

The' General was refined and courteous, 
but firm in his opinions and his demeanor. 
He was a Roman Catholic, and never be- 
longed to any secret society of any kind. 
While he loved society and was well known 
for his gallantry, he preferred to remain sin- 
gle, and therefore never married. 

Two brothers, Juan B. and Leandro Cas- 
tro, survive him; while two sisters, Juana 
Castro de Merritt and Maria Castro de San- 
chez, and four brothers, Manuel. Jr., Pedro 
Jose, Antonio and Jose Francis, preceded 
him to the grave. In his death not only his 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



relatives and immediate friends mourn, but 
according to Spanish history all Christendom 
should weep, for lie was, without doubt, a 
lineal descendant of the General Castro who 
expelled the Moors from Spain, under ap- 
pointment (as Generalissimo) of a king of 
Spain who was canonized and made a saint. 



fHOMAS J. RIORDAN, the efficient 
and popular Clerk of Monterey county, 
residing in Salinas, was born in San 
Francisco, November 15, 1859. His family 
removed to Salinas valley in 1860, his father, 
Michael Riordan, having come to California 
in 1854. After attending the public schools 
of Natividad, in this county, he was two 
years in St. Mary's College, San Francisco, 
leaving this latter institution in 1876. He 
commenced his business life as a clerk in the 
general merchandise store of John S. Paine, 
at Pajaro, where he remained about a year. 
After this he went to tlie southern part of 
the county with W. H. Taylor, superintend- 
ent of the coast stage line, coming to Salinas 
later, in the employ of W. W. Battles, a 
prominent grain buyer. After the death of 
W. W. Battles, he went into grain business 
for iiimself, and while in this business was 
elected Auditor. He was elected County 
Auditor in 1882; subsequently he went into 
the tailoring and furnishing goods business 
with T. B. Johnson, under the firm name of 
Johnson & Riordan. After three years of 
successful business operation he sold out, in 
October, 1887, and went into the grain-buy- 
ing business with S. Z. Hebert. He was 
elected County Clerk in 1888, 1890 and again 
in 1892, which fact plainly shows the general 
satisfaction his services have given and the 
esteem in which he is held. 



Mr. Riordan was married October 21, 1884, 
to Miss Madge Sheehy, daughter of e.x-Super- 
visor John Sheehy, and they have two bright 
children, a son and daughter. 

Socially, Mr Riordan belongs to the Native 
Sons of the Golden West, one of the largest 
societies on the coast. 

In all the various walks of life, as a hus- 
band and father, business man and public 
official, he has always been the same able, 
honorable and kind-hearted person, and has 
achieved an enviable position in life and in 
the regard of those who know and appreciate 
his many excellent qualities. 



J^ E. G. ANZAR, of San Juan, Califor- 
i^p nia, a descendentof one of the earliest 
^e * settlers of California, and a man of 
wealth and influence, was born in this city, 
February 10, 1851. His father, Juan M. 
Anzar, was grantee of Aromitas rancho in 
1835, and of the Santa Ana ranch in 1839, 
constituting him a man of wealth; and pos- 
sessing strong traits of character, he had 
great influence. He served as Justice of the 
Peace at San Juan, from 1839 to 1841, and 
favored the cause of the United States. He 
married Marie Antonio Castro, who was the 
mother of the subject of this sketch. She 
was a daughter of Mariano M. Castro, a na- 
tive of San Juan, and a man of considerable 
prominence. 

P. E. G. Anzar, whose name heads this 
notice, grew up at his native home and re- 
ceived a good business education. He spent 
several years in business in San Francisco and 
Los Angeles, after which he returned to the 
place of his birth, where he now owns and 
cultivates about 3,500 acres of the old family 
estate, situated near San Juan, which is one 
of the tinest ranches in the county. 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



He married Miss Zeuetta of San Juan, 
in 1877, and they have three interesting 
children. 

Mr. Anzar is a leading Democrat of San 
Benito county. As a business n>an and citi- 
zen, he stands deservedly high in the esteem 
of his community, who know and appreciate 
his sterlino- traits of character. 



fRED PORTER NASON, one of the 
most prosperous farmers of Corral de 
Tierra, near Salinas, Monterey county, 
California, widely and favorably known as a 
progressive business man and public-spirited 
citizen, was born in Haverhill, New Hamp- 
shire, January 24, 1856. In many respects 
his has been a most remarkable career, rival- 
ing in interest that of Kobinson Crusoe's, 
and which when written, as it soon will be, 
will furnish much food for wonderment to 
all those fortunate enough to read it. Advent- 
ure and patriotism are in his blood, as his ancest- 
ors have been men of prominence and action 
from the earliest known records. His great- 
grandfather fought at Bunker Hill, and also 
with two brothers, fought all through the 
war of the Revolution, from 1776 to 1783. 
His grandfather, John Nason, was a faithful 
soldier in the war of 1812. He was a native 
of Massachusetts, and one of the earliest set- 
tlers of Haverhill, Massachusetts, where he 
was a sawmill owner and farmer, and who 
lived to the advanced age of ninety-three 
years. The father of the subject of this 
sketch, also a native of Haverhill, was a loco- 
motive engineer and was killed in an accident 
when his son, Fred, was five years of age, 
after which young Fred went to live with his 
grandfather. At the age of fourteen, he left 
home with only $1 in money, and worked 



his way to Boston, Massachusetts, where he 
shipped before the mast in the whaling bark, 
Louisiana, for a three years' voyage. After 
six months at sea, he was made boatsteerer 
or harpooner, and before he was fifteen years 
of age had harpooned his whale. This voy- 
age lasted thirty-two months, the vessel in 
that time circumnavigating the globe, so that 
before he was seventeen, Mr. Nason had 
been around the world. Upon his return to 
Boston, he shipped as second mate in the 
merchant service, in which he spent about 
two years, during which time he was twice 
ship-wrecked. Upon his return, he again 
shipped on a whaler for a short voyage, as 
third mate, making $1,500 in five months. 
He then embarked on another vessel and 
went around the world on an extended whal- 
ing voj'age of nearly four years' time, meet- 
ing with many adventures, some of which 
rival Robinson ('rusoe's; he fought with 
Chinese pirates in their own waters, and with 
the cannibals of the Fiji islands on their own 
shores. Returning again to New Bedford, 
Massachusetts, he once more, in 1876, shipped 
as second mate of a large whaler, on which 
he went around Cape Horn and up into the 
Arctic ocean, where he spent two seasons, 
coming to San Francisco in the fall of 1879. 
He then resolved to quit whaling, so left the 
vessel and came to Monterey county, where 
in 1880, he settled on his present farm of 
484 acres, which he has cultivated with care, 
and on which he has made many improve- 
ments in the way of substantial buildings, 
etc., until he now owns one of the finest 
places in the county. 

In 1881, he married Adeline Watson, an 
estimable lady, and daughter of ex-sheriff 
Thomas Watson, of Monterey county. They 
now have, in 1892, three sons and two daugh- 
ters. 



AND 8 AN MATEO COUNTIES. 



Mr. Nason has always been a DeiDOcrat 
until recently, when he went into the People's 
Party. He is a leading member of the Farm- 
ers' Alliance, for which cause he has done 
much good work. 

He has t:early ready for the press, a his- 
tory or narrative of his personal adventures, 
extending over the time he was a sailor, about 
ten years, which will be a very interesting 
work. 

As a husband and father, seafaring man 
and citizen, he has always been the same 
hard-working, conscientious, brave man; uni- 
formly genial and courteous, and ever popu- 
lar with his fellnw-raen. 

fR. WHITCHER, Jr., is a son of C. R. 
Whitcher of Castroville, and is an in- 
® fluential citizen, merchant and Post- 
master of the town. 0. R. Whitcher, Sr., 
is an Englishman by birth, having been born 
in the suburbs of London. He was about nine 
years of age, when, with his parents, he came 
to America and settled in Canada. He there 
grew up and learned the blacksmith's trade. 
In 1859, he came to California, and worked 
at his trade at Degraw's mills, near Cypress 
point, in Monterey county. He later opened 
a wagon-shop at Salinas in partnership with 
Joseph Lacy. He was afterward at Monterey, 
Watsonville and for a time at Virginia City, 
Nevada. In the fall of 1865, he settled in 
Castroville, where he has since resided, and 
where he enjoys the universal respect of his 
fellow-citizens. 

He married to Miss Ann Coy, at Lowell, 
Massachusetts, and of their three living chil- 
dren, the subject of this sketch is the young- 
est. A brother, F. L., is a resident of Los 
Olivos, Santa Barbara county, and a sister, 



Lizzie, is the wife of H. J. Laughlin, Esq., 
of Moss Landing. 

The subject of this sketch entered business 
as a general merchant in 1887. On Septem- 
ber 22 of that year he married a daughter of 
William Stirling, Esq., of Castroville, and 
they have one daughter, Jeane Rozella. 



fOSEPH FRANCICSO VIERRE.— This 
successful and respected citizen is one of 
the thrifty farmers of Blanco, Monterey 
county, California. Like many others of his 
nationality, he came to this county without 
money, and laid the foundation for a compe- 
tency by working on the farm. 

Mr. Yierre was born on the Azores, off 
the coast of Portugal, February 28, 1836. 
He came to America on a whaling cruise in 
1856, and made voyages on the coast of Nova 
Scotia and South America. Upon arrival in 
California he spent about five years in the 
mines. He then came to Monterey county, 
and worked four years on the wharf at Moss' 
landing. He then spent seven years on 
farms in the Carmel valley, after which he 
came to Salinas valley and located at Blanco, 
where he has since lived. Here he owns 150 
acres of fine farming land, and also rents 
ninety-three acres from J. Jacks, Esq. 

Mr. Vierre was married in Monterey, in 
1866, and has four attractive daughters. 



f HESTER R. WITTER, a pioneer of 
California, resident of San Benito county 
and a native of Albany county. New 
York, was born near Albany city, October 
17, 1833. His father, Robert Witter was a 
farmer by occupation and was one of the 
pioneers of Wisconsin, during 1833 and 



440 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



1840. The family was of German descent 
and were noted for their industry and thrift. 

The subject of this sketch came to Cali- 
fornia via northern route and arrived at 
Placerville, August, 1853. He spent the 
greater portion of ten years in the gold 
diggings, and then resumed his occupation 
of a farmer in the vicinity of Stockton. In 
the fall of 1872 he came to San Bernardino 
county and located on Santa Ana creek, 
near the fort of Santa Ana peak, where 
he has since resided and reared his family. 
The home farm comprises 186 acres of valua- 
ble land. 

Mr. "Witter was married, in 1862 to Miss 
Nancy Skaggs, a native of Missouri, and 
they have seven children and four grandchil- 
dren. 

Mr. Witter is among the most highly re- 
spected citizens of San Benito county. 

fAPTAiN WILLIAM J. TOWLE, a 
California pioneer of 1850, who crossed 
the plains from Pittsburg, Pennsylva- 
nia, where he had been born February 22, 
1834. His father, Tiioraas F. Towle, was a 
pioneer of Pittsburg, who worked in the first 
nail factory built in that city. He was born 
at Exeter, forty miles east of Boston, in 1809, 
and came to California in 1850, but returned 
East the following year. In 1860 he again 
made the trip and is now a resident of Sonoma, 
California. Several sons of Thomas F. Towle 
live in California, — George W., Hugh P., 
Thomas S. and Oliver C, all farmers of San 
Benito county. Calvin F., the oldest of the 
family, is a merchant of Los Gatos. 

William J., the subject of this sketch, ex- 
perienced all the vicissitudes of a miner's life, 
having varied successes and failures until 
1864. 



For sixteen years, until the early part of 
the year, 1892, he had charge of the Pacific 
& Coast Steamship Company's interests and 
wharf at Monterey, in which position he 
proved himself a most efiicient official, and 
made hosts of friends by his pleasant and 
oblging manner. Since his service in the 
above oflice he has been engaged in the hotel 
business and stock raising, and is the owner 
of the Mai Paso (Spanish words meaning 
Bad Crossing) rancho, comprising 900 acres 
of stock range, about eight miles south of 
Monterey, on the coast. 

Captain Towle married, in 1863, Miss 
Amelia A. Eaton, a native lady of Wiscon- 
sin, who came to this State when about ten 
years of age with her parents, in 1855. The 
marriage took place in San Francisco, and 
Captain and Mrs. Towle have one son. Grant, 
born May 22, 1864. 

Mr. Towle is a prominent Republican. He 
voted for Fremont in 1855, and has voted for 
every Republican nominee for the presiden- 
tial otfice since. He is widely known through- 
out the county as a man of great force of 
character, pronounced and outspoken in his 
opinions, firm and sometimes aggressive in 
supporting them. 

fPHRAIM J. TURNER, deceased, was 
one of the prominent and worthy 
pioneers of California. 
Mr. Turner was born near the town of 
Dorchester, Massachusetts, November 1,1826. 
His father, Seth Turner, a shoemaker by oc- 
cupation, died in that town at the age of 
eighty-five years His mother, whose maiden 
name was Lydia Jones, was a native of the 
same State. She was born in 1804 and died 
at the age of eighty-six years. Of their four 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



441 



sons and one daughter, Epliraiin Jones was 
the oldest. He was a manufacturer of bri- 
tannia ware, and pursued that business at 
Dorchester and later at Taunton, same State. 

In 1850 Mr. Turner left home and em- 
barked at Boston for San Francisco, coming 
via Panama, and upon his arrival at San 
Francisco went to the mines, where he drove 
teams and engaged in freighting. Not long 
afterward he returned East, married and lo- 
cated in Illinois. His wife died there, and 
after her death he again came to California, 
this time making the journey overland with 
pack males. He located in Santa Clara 
county, threshed grain, dealt in stock, and 
did a successful business. He finally located 
on the farm at San Felipe, where he developed 
a valuable estate. In 1870 he revisited his 
native State, and while there met and mar- 
ried Miss Douglass Jenkins. Her father, 
John Jenkins, a shipbuilder by trade, was a 
native of Maine. Mrs. Turner was born on 
Prince Edward Island, November 25, 1844. 
She received a thorough education, became 
an accomplished school teacher, and is a 
woman of social culture and domestic ac- 
complishments. Their marriage occurred 
June 7, 1870. F'ollowing are the names of 
their children: Everette J., born April 9, 
1871; AlbrosG., May 23, 1872; and Charles 
H., October 20, 1884. 

Mr. Turner left a fine estate, comprising 
160 acres of fertile land, under a high state 
of cultivation, besides much personal prop- 
erty. 



m^ C. TOLLETT, a resident of the "Golden 
|[M) State" since 1872, is a successful 
^sM* farmer of Salinas, Monterey county. 
He is a native of Washington county, Ar- 

29 



kansas, having been born there September L7, 
1849. 

After coming to this State Mr. ToUett 
engaged in farming, and now has a fine farm 
of 120 acres of rich land under a good state 
of cultivation. The property is situated one 
mile from the city of Salinas, and Mr. Tollett 
has erected a superior grade of buildings 
upon it, in a rural architectural style, that 
has a beauty of its own. 

The lady who presides over his home is the 
daughter of George Archer, a capitalist of 
Salinas. Mrs. Tollett is a native of Illinois, 
and she and her husband are the happy par- 
ents of one daughter, Hattie, born in 1883. 

Mr. and Mrs. Tollett are highly respected 
and esteemed among their neighbors, and are 
worthy good people. 



tON. J. W. HILL, proprietor and editor 
of the Salinas Index, and well-known 
throughout the State as an able news- 
paper man, was born of Scotch parentage on 
a farm near Prescott, Canada West, in 1840, 
being the eldest of ten sons and three daughters. 
He received his education in his native 
country, where he lived until 1862, when he 
came to California via water, reaching San 
Francisco in April. From here he continued 
his journey to British Columbia on a mining 
expedition, going also to Alaska, return- 
ing to California in the fall of the same 
year. He tiien prospected in Nevada, 
Utah and Idaho. During the bloody In- 
dian wars of the Northwest in 1864-'65 
and '66, he kept a ferry crossing the Owy- 
hee river, in Idaho Territory, where he 
experienced the vicissitudes of a frontiers- 
man. In 1867 he disposed of his business 
and went to Silver City, the county seat of 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, .SANTA CRUZ, 



Owyhee county, Idaho Territory, where he 
purchased the Weekly Avalanche, an infant 
weekly newspaper, which he published until 
1876. From this date he has been a resident 
and newspaper publisher of Salinas, Califor- 
nia, finally purchasing the Salinas Index. 
In 1876, he introduced the first cylinder 
steam printing press and conducted the first 
daily paper in Idaho Territory, the Idaho 
Daily Avalanche.- This press he now uses 
in the printing of the Index. Although in 
a Kepublican county, with an easy Demo- 
cratic majority, he was elected to the several 
offices of County Clerk, Sheriff and Tax Col- 
lector of his county. He was a Centennial 
Commissioner from Idaho, and was tendered 
the nomination to Congress by the Republi- 
can party of his district. Upon locating in 
California and assuming the publication of 
the Index, his ability as a forceful newspaper 
writer was promptly recognized, and he 
gained the confidence and esteem of the peo- 
ple of a rich and influential community. 

The new constitution of California was the 
absorbing theme of interest in political circles 
in 1871, and he was one of its ardent pro- 
moters. Upon this issue, he was nominated 
by the Republican and New Constitution par- 
ties as a candidate for the State Senate, to 
which office he was elected. He served in 
this capacity with eminent ability and to the 
highest satisfaction of all persons and parties 
interested in the public weal. In 1886, he 
was elected Mayor of Salinas city and served 
in that capacity three successive terms or six 
years. The second and third terms he was 
the people's unanimous choice, having no com- 
petitor, and finally declined to serve longer. 
He was one of the first to advocate the rais- 
ing of the American flag over all school build- 
ings of the State, and delivered the address 



at the first flag-raising upon the public school 
buildings of Salinas. 

Mr. Hill was married, June 2, 1873, to 
Miss Belle Peck, eldest daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. C. S. Peck, and a granddaughter on her 
mother's side of Colonel Gallant Duncan 
Dickinson, of whom prominent mention is 
made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hill have a son William C. Hill, now (1892) 
in his nineteenth year. 

These are a few of the most prominent 
events of an eminently active and useful 
career, which has been justly crowned with 
financial success and the highest regard of his 
fellow-men. 



fHOMAS BUTTERFIELD (an Autobi- 
ography). — I was born the 3d day of 
November, 1806, in the town of Wil- 
ton, then Kennebec county, then Providence, 
Maine. My father, Henry Butterfield, was 
born in Massachusetts, and his father, Samuel 
Butterfield, the pioneer of what is now the 
town of Farmington, Maine, also. I worked 
for my father, after I was old enough to work, 
on his farm, except what time I spent in get- 
ting a common- school education until I was 
twenty -one years old. I then went on a small 
farm in the town of Farmington, which my 
father gave me, and December 12, 1827, I 
married Hope Eaton, who was born the same 
year that I was born and in the same neigh- 
borhood. We worked at farming and stock- 
raising for about seven years, buying other 
lauds and prospering both financially and 
otherwise. 

We then sold and removed on a farm where 
the town of East Wilton now stands and there 
I engaged in building and operating the Wil- 
ton Woolen Mills, of which I was part owner 
and I acted as Secretary and Treasurer for 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



the company. 1 acted as Selectman and Over- 
seer of the Poor fur two years and as Justice 
of the Peace for fourteen years, carrying ou 
my farming, a hotel business and a sawmill 
at the same time. 

Owing to losses in the factory business, 
we closed up our affairs, and in 1843 I moved 
my family into Aroostook county, settled on 
the Aroostook river and engaged in farming 
and lumbering preparing timber for the St. 
John market. I prospered financially and in 
1848 we removed to Appleton, "Wisconsin, 
and there engaged in the lumber and mer- 
chandise business. I built a bridge to Ap- 
pleton, over the Fox river, 900 feet long, and 
furnished planks for a fifteen-mile plank road. 
I ran two sawmills about two years and furn- 
ished the logs myself. The Plank road 
company failed to pay as agreed and I suf- 
fered a loss and took stock in the road that 
was of no value. 

In 1853 I came with my family to Cali- 
fornia, across the plains, and stopped in Ne- 
vada county, where I engaged in mining, 
butchering and selling goods, also in lumber- 
ing and doing some farming. In 1858 I 
bought a farm of 775 acres on the river for 
$20,000 in Yuba county, and here 1 farmed 
and raised stock, mostly good horses for about 
three years; but the floods, ague and mosqui- 
toes compelled us to leave that place and we 
sold at a sacrifice and went to Santa Cruz, 
Santa Cruz county, and lived there until the 
fall of 1869. At this time we moved to San 
Benito county and there engaged in import- 
ing, breeding and selling Angora goats and 
pure-bred sheep. My son, James, was with 
me in that business. We had theCottswold, 
Lincolnshire, Leicester, South Down, Texile, 
French and Spanish Merino sheep, and we 
prospered in this business. "We sold $25,000 
worth of goats in one year. In 1875 we 



bought 1,400 acres of land in Contra Costa 
county, paying $17,550. Before we went on 
the land we were at great expense in build- 
ing levees, clearing off the tules and breaking 
up the ground. The floods broke our levees, 
ruined our crops and destroyed many thou- 
sand dollars worth of live-stock. After four 
years of hard work and continual losses we 
became financially bankrupt and we left the 
county without means and with health shat- 
tered. 

My son went to the State of Oregon and 
my wife and I came back to San Benito county 
and stopped in Bear Valley. Here we com- 
menced in a small way and with a little assis- 
tance from our son George, and with industry 
and economy we accumulated enough to now 
place us in comfortable circumstances and we 
are living in our own home in the town of 
Hollister. "We are about eighty-six years of 
age, still able to be about and wait upon our- 
selves and do something more. We have been 
blessed with five children, one daughter and 
four sons, the oldest being sixty-three years 
old and the youngest fifty years old. Our 
daughter is now the wife of K. O. Tompkins 
of Nevada City, California. Our son, Will- 
iam, lives in Menlo Park, where he is in the 
real-estate, auction and commission business 
in San Francisco; George and James are in 
San Benito county, engaged in farming; and 
Charles is living in Clatsop county, Oregon, 
engaged in the daii-ying business, but he will 
probably, soon remove to San Jose, Califor- 
nia. They are all married and have famlies, 
all temperate and industrious, in comfortable 
circumstances and are blessings to their par- 
ents, themselves and to the community 
where they live. Our grandchildren range 
from one year to thirty-seven and are nineteen 
in number, fifteen grandsons and two great- 
grandchildren, and all bid fair, so far, to be 



MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, SANTA CRUZ, 



temperate and industrious like their parents. 
We have been blessed in many ways, have 
been married sixty-four years and have lost no 
children and have had no trouble except the 
loss of property and that does not amount to 
much in this world and nothing in the world 
to come. 

fAMES BDTTEEFIELD is one of San 
Benito county's most enterprising and • 
active pioneers. He is the oldest son of 
the venerable Thomas Butterfield, of HoUis- 
ter, an autobiograpical sketch of whom appears 
in this work. He was born at Farmington, 
Maine, May 5, 1836. He married Miss Jessie, 
a daughter of Samuel Holt, Esq., a native of 
Nova Scotia, by whom he has seven children: 
Harrie,Kellie, Edwin, Carrie,Thomas, George, 
and Arthur. 

Mr. Butterfield's life has been a singularly 
busy one and has been spent thus far in rural 
pursuits. He preceded his father two years 
to this country. He has spent several years 
in Oregon. He also, at one time, operated 
a goat ranch on one of the group of the Sand- 
wich Islands. He located on his present 
place near San Benito, in 1876. He, in 1892, 
is preparing to take up his family residence 
in Sau Jose, California. 



fAMES WATSON, a prosperous farmer 
and influential citizen of San Benito 
county,Calii'ornia, residing near Paicines, 
was born in Scott county, Virginia, Septem- 
ber 22, 1831. He is next to the oldest of 
the children of the well-known pioneer Jacob 
Watson, who is prominently mentioned in 
various connections elsewhere in this history. 
Upon coming to California, Mr. Watson 



first engaged in wagon freighting from Marys- 
ville to the mines, in 1855. Later he lived 
in San Luis Obispo county, in the Santa 
Rosa valley, near Cambria, where he lived 
for about twenty-one years, engaged in farm- 
ing and stock-raising. In 188-4, he settled 
near Paicines, on Tres Pinos creek, being 
the first man to locate in his section of the 
valley. 

He was married, in 1869, to Miss Hannah 
R. Carnack, who was born about twelve miles 
from the World's Fair city of Chicago, and 
a daughter of Perry Carnack, who came to 
California in 1855, and died near Paicines 
August 24, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are 
useful members of the First Baptist Church 
of Paicines, and are esteemed for their many 
good qualities. 



fICTOR D. BLACK, of Salnas, Cali- 
fornia, a leading milling and business 
■^^=5 man of his vicinity, was born in Mt. 
Vernon, Black township, Jefferson county, 
Illinois, August 11, 1855. He is a son of 
Samuel Black, Esq., of Castroville, Califor- 
nia, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in 
this work. Mr. Black came to California 
with his parents when he was eight years of 
acre. His parents spent the first three years 
in the mines, and then settled at Los Gatos, 
where the subject of this sketch received the 
rudiments of a splendid business education. 
His father, being an excellent miller, taught 
his son this business. At the age of fifteen, 
he received his first experience as a miller in 
a small and somewhat primitive mill on So- 
quel creek. This was a small custom mill, 
propelled with a thirty-foot overshot wheel. 
He later milled at different points in the State, 
and, in 1880, in partnership with his father. 



AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. 



445 



purchased a gristtnill at Castroville, which 
they operated until 1885, when they sold 
out. Mr. Black, of this notice, then went to 
Salinas, and assumed charge of the Salinas 
mills for C. L. Dingley, Esq., of San Fran- 
cisco. The Central Milling Company was 
organized during this year, of wliich Mr. 
Black became an incorporator, and in 1890, 
was eleqted to a seat in its directory. 
The Central Milling Company commenced 
doing business January 1, 1887. The entire 
Salinas interests of this heavy corporation, 
which absorbed and controlled nearly all the 
milling interests along the Southern Pacific 
railway line, in several counties of central 
California, devolved upon Mr. Black, as 
Superintendent. The Sperry Flour Com- 
pany was incorporated August 5, 1892, with 
a capital of 110,000,000, $6,000,000 of which 
is paid in. This corporation absorbs the 
interests of the Central Milling Company; 
Sperry and Company of Stockton; the Pio- 
neer Milling Company of Sacramento city; 
the McCrary Milling Company of Sacra- 
mento city; the Buckeye Mills of Marys- 
ville; the Golden Gate Mills of San Fran- 
cisco; and the Chico Milling Company of 
Chico, California, the combined capacity of 
which is about 6,000 barrels flour per day of 
twenty-four hours run. Mr. Black was one 
of the incorporators, and is a director, of the 
Sperry Flour Company, and has the manage- 
ment of the mills of the corporation at San 
Jose, Salinas, King City, Paso Robles and 
San Luis Obispo. The foregoing plainly 
stated facts attest the sterling qualities that 
Mr. Black possesses as a business man, which 
have placed him in the front rank of the 
milling men on the Pacific coast. 

Mr. Black was married, July 30, 1890, to 
Misa Dalia Norris, a native daughter of 
California, born at Sonoma, and a daughter 



of E. Norris, Esq. Mr. and Mrs. Black have 
three interesting children: Victor D., Jr., 
and Lester, twins; and an infant daughter. 
Mr. Black's eminent success in life is due 
entirely to his own ability, industry and 
perseverance, supplemented by correct busi- 
ness methods and uniform courtesy shown to 
all in the various walks of life. 



m-' 



ILLIAM D. ROBINSON, Esq., one 
of the few surviving pioneers of 
JVlonterey, California, was born in 
New York city, October 26, 1825, and spent 
his earlier years in his native city. He came 
to the State of California in 1847, and to 
Monterey in March, same year. He came as 
a soldier of tlie Mexican war, and a member 
of the famous Stevenson's regiment, the his- 
tory and mission of which is familiar to 
readers of California history. Mr. Robinson 
joined this expedition in New York city, 
whence he sailed around Cape Horn, and 
after a six months' voyage landed in San 
Francisco harbor. After a two days' stay 
there, they were transported to Monterey. 
From 1848 to 1852 Mr. Robinson engaged 
in mining. He also invested in Monterey 
city property, which he still owns, and like- 
wise bought a ranch in the vicinity of Monte- 
rey. He was for years more or less identi- 
fied with local civil affairs, holding various 
offices. In 1862 he was Inspector of Cus 
toms at the port of Monterey for two years; 
in 1864 he was appointed President of the 
local Council, and for a time was acting 
Mayor of the city. He was later Town Mar- 
shal, which position he filled with credit to 
himself and to the people for whom he 
acted. 

He married Miss Esther Bertholf, in New 



446 



MONTEREY, ETC., COUNTIES. 



York city, a lady of German descent, and 
they have four sons and one daughter living. 
Few men now living have seen more of pio- 
neer life in California than he, and few enjoy 
more justly the esteem of their fellow-men. 

tUTHER S. TOOTHAKER, one of Cali- 
fornia's pioneers, and a mechanic by 
trade and profession, is one of Monte- 
rey's most respected citizens. He came to 
California in 1850, via the Isthmus of Pana- 
ma. He is a native of Maine, being born in 
the vicinity of Bangor. His father, William 
Toothaker, was born on Long Island, and fol- 
lowed the sea for many years, but later turned 
farmer. Mr. Luther Toothaker is the third 
child of a family of six children. 

He left home at about twenty years of age, 
and, coming West, learned the trade of a car- 
penter in Iowa, and has made this his chief 
occupation. Upon arrival in California he 
went into the mines, and pursued mining for 
about fifteen years, with varying success. A 
portion of this time he was engaged in mill- 
building, and later worked in the car shops 
of the California railroad at Sacramento. He 
aided in the construction of the passenger 
coaches that conveyed the State Railroad 
Commissioners to Ogden, upon the historical 
mission of driving tiie golden spike. Still 
later he worked in the mills at Red Bluff, 
California. 

He has been married twice, and has one 
step-daughter. 

He came to Monterey in 1873, wiiere he 



has since resided and followed his occupation. 
Mr. Toothaker is one of the types of the 
old-time pioneers, that all men delight to 
associate with, exhibiting sociability and 
frankness in all their dealings and intercourse. 

fANIEL BRINSON.— Mr. Brinson ig 
the pioneer boot and shoe merchant of 
Hollister. ' His advent into this State 
was made as early as 1853, when he came 
from Winterset, Madison county, Iowa. He 
is a native of Ripley county, Indiana, and was 
born at Versailles, on February 14, 1835. 
His father Joim was born on Licking river, 
in Kentucky. He was a farmer by occupa- 
tion and his wife was Elizabeth Wade. They 
had twelve children born to them before they 
removed to Iowa, where they reared their 
large family. 

Upon coming to California Mr. Brinson 
engaged in mining for a short time with in- 
different success. He then followed lumber- 
ing at Redwood City for a time. His next 
venture was a boot and shoe factory in Mon- 
terey, which he started in 1862. In 1865 he 
removed to Santa Clara county, where he re- 
sided and carried on business until 1871, when 
be came to Hollister, where he has since been 
engaged in the same occupation. 

Mr. Brinson was married, in 1859, to Miss 
Lucinda Vargas, a native of California, born 
at Los Angeles. The marriage ceremony took 
place in Monterey. Mr. and Mrs. Brinson 
are highly respected and esteemed among a 
larcje circle of friends. 



